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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Alonso’s system typically employed a back three, leaving the wing-backs large amounts to cover in both directions. James Pearce, New York Times, 14 May 2025 The global economy had been yanked in every direction, nonstop, for weeks. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 13 May 2025 The canyon stretches for miles in either direction, with centuries-old villages dotting its edges. Natalie Stoclet, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 Galway is senior vice president, creative direction at German sportswear brand Adidas. Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for direction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direction
Noun
  • If the user follows these instructions, the command downloads and runs the malicious file known as Atomic macOS Stealer (AMOS).
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2025
  • If cell phone radio waves are interfering with headsets, pilots can usually still hear instructions from the control tower, but the audio could be less clear.
    Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Leveraging a robust background in HR leadership, Josh previously directed transformative talent practices at Red Ventures as vice president of people operations, leading talent management, HR business partner, talent acquisition, and M&A integration during his tenure.
    Josh Tarr, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • The portions of the budget that deal with public-land management, oil and gas and mineral development, and logging will go to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
    Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • Inside a self care mindset, taking a pause to find your own inner compass is the key to navigating the future of work.
    Chris Westfall, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
  • And he’s got a really good compass of what needs to happen in the moment.
    Justin Curto, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Does the trend toward later retirement bode well or ill for American society?
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • Try the trend with this silky animal print blouse, which has a V-neckline and long sleeves with elasticized cuffs.
    Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises residents in areas with excessive heat to wear light clothing, drink lots of water, use their air conditioning and avoid from exerting themselves outside in order to prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • On top of that, due to the surge in orders, more factories are increasing the minimum order size that companies are required to place.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • But that this most ruthless edition of Chelsea’s six successive years of WSL superiority has come under the supervision of a new head coach, Sonia Bompastor, following the end of the 12-year Emma Hayes era, is perhaps most impressive of all.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • The festival’s talent lab, now to be known as the BRAVO Film Lab, which mentors young Brazilian filmmakers, remains under the supervision of Talize Sayegh.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • His replacement, Anthony Banda, failed to stem a turning tide.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
  • But the tide is changing, and according to Sturdivant-Drew, the hue is right on trend with the natural aesthetics that have been popular recently.
    Jessica Fields, Essence, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • Gary Councilwoman Lori Lathan, newly appointed to the commission, kick-started a discussion of how the agency can continue to push for things like air quality improvement without referring to climate change or otherwise running afoul of Trump’s edicts.
    Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025
  • Despite Newsom’s edict, Bass didn’t appear ready to throw in the towel.
    Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direction. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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