direction

noun

də-ˈrek-shən How to pronounce direction (audio)
Definition of directionnext
1
as in instruction
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned we were given very specific directions for the first part of the exam

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in management
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something working under the close direction of the engineering supervisor

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3
as in compass
a guiding or motivating purpose or principle a life that seemed to lack any direction other than the mindless pursuit of empty pleasures

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4
as in trend
a prevailing or general movement or inclination some older people worry about the overall direction that political discourse has taken lately

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of direction What Could Be Next The direction of care is shifting toward earlier intervention, and the payoff for patients who act quickly is real. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026 Gemini May 21 – June 20 The right conversation could give a loose idea real direction. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2026 May 21 – June 20 The right conversation could give a loose idea real direction. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 25 July 2026 Using a clean, plush microfiber cloth, lightly wipe in one direction with minimal pressure. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for direction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direction
  1. instruction
  2. management
  3. compass
  4. trend
  5. order
  6. supervision
  7. tide
  8. edict
Noun
  • But a Canadian legislator took that idea to an embarrassing new level this week, reading an apparent LLM prompt instruction into the record during a floor speech.
    — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026
  • Each specific kind of peptide carries a different instruction, explains LaValle, who is also chair of the International Peptide Society.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 24 July 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • Court records show that in early 2022, Arbuckle managed a team of more than 20 and helped forecast loan demand across major sectors of the bank, including corporate, commercial, wealth management and small-business banking.
    — Chase Jordan July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
  • Maritime risk-management company Marisks on Wednesday said the affected vessels were moved outside the port.
    — Salma Arafa, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of management
Noun
  • How does Glimpact serve as a regulatory compass for global brands trying to bulletproof their environmental communication against greenwashing claims?
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 29 July 2026
  • For now, the lookout volunteers use a map, compass and familiarity with landmarks to pinpoint the location for initial attack crews.
    — Susan Montoya Bryan, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of compass
Noun
  • Before that, in a trend which lasts to this day, the very best players were always tempted away, to Italy or Spain, towards salaries that German football could never provide.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • His team spent about a month overlaying influenza trends on card spending, hunting for spikes at drugstores, and found a relationship that was never clean enough to use.
    — John Drake, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of trend
Noun
  • French and Spanish authorities issued further evacuation orders overnight, taking the total number of people displaced to 300,000.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
  • After handing Powell her order, Thomas said, laughing, that moments like that had become common since opening the storefront.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
Definition of order
Noun
  • Because Iran is a theocratic dictatorship that routinely arrests and in some cases executes journalists, Western reporters hoping to cover the country must either work clandestinely or submit to government supervision.
    — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
  • The way to repair one's reputation is through quality, and quality comes in terms of making better decisions, better supervision, more accountability, proper disclosure and self-discipline.
    — Jon Michail, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of supervision
Noun
  • Turning the tide Klopp will be tasked with getting Germany back among the world’s best international teams.
    — Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • The godless ’60s had radicalized many Christians who saw the toxic stew of drugs, rock ’n’ roll, and shallow commercialism as a sign of the end times and vowed to reverse the demonic tide.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026
Definition of tide
Noun
  • Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse The highly agile Getty shooter Alan Crowhurst has done us a great favor by bringing concrete cloakroom evidence of the many social and administrative challenges that the (famous) Royal Ascot costume edicts require in order to be properly met.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • The memorandum includes a pledge by Iran to never purchase or construct nuclear weapons — a vow the Islamic Republic has made multiple times before, including by signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, in a religious edict issued by the late supreme leader and in the Obama-era nuclear accord.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Definition of edict

Browse Nearby Words

directing
direction
directionless
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Cite this Entry

“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direction. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on direction

Nglish: Translation of direction for Spanish Speakers

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