Definition of directionnext
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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

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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 That type of cold front simply moves in a different direction than what is typical. Rachael Jay, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026 Two blizzards headed in the direction of the state veered off. Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2026 Seeing the migration run in the other direction—Vegas to the world—feels almost off-kilter, a little unnerving, though not uncompelling. Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026 Then, scrub the baking soda into the sink while rubbing in the direction of the stainless steel to help prevent visible scratches. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for direction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direction
Noun
  • There are classrooms, but instruction is limited to an hour daily, mostly filling out worksheets.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
  • During his appeal, Garcia-Torres raised numerous issues, including the admission of DNA and other evidence, the conduct of his trial, jury instruction, alleged misconduct by the prosecutor and the sentence.
    Tim Fang, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The new shelter includes an on-site medical clinic, an early education classroom, comprehensive case management, full commercial kitchen and spaces for art, job training, education and mental health programming, the release noted.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Many who call Paton a close friend do not attempt to explain his steadiness via the particulars of roster management or cap analysis.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • When thoughts race, breathe slowly and trust your inner compass to organize your feelings before responding.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The mythic dimension may be missing here, but Holmes darkly captivates within the narrower compass of this energizing revival.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • However, a curious counter-trend—one that began in New York and is now being cemented by the opening day of Paris Fashion Week—is simultaneously occurring.
    Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2026
  • City police data shows violent crime rates have significantly declined over the past three years in parallel with national trends.
    JACK BROOK, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The Takoma Park, Maryland, mayor’s order that people not clap during a public meeting led to insults and even a poll.
    Paul Schwartzman, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2026
  • And if bankers became worried that Paramount was too leveraged, the tech mogul agreed to put in more money in order to secure the bank financing.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Without supervision, a nurse at Dilley gave adult-strength hepatitis A shots to about 250 children in 2015, the American Immigration Lawyers Association reported.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Without supervision, a nurse at Dilley gave adult-strength hepatitis A shots to about 250 children in 2015, the American Immigration Lawyers Association reported.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Even before that meeting, the tide had turned for Paramount in a swell of power, politics and brinkmanship.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026
  • The shortest runways in the world make landing the journey’s most dramatic moment, where cliffs, gradients, tides and mountains compress aviation into a test of pure precision.
    Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • That was despite a Spanish edict forbidding Pueblo people to possess horses.
    Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Deterrence and leverage Despite concerns that Iran’s nuclear activities shorten its path to a bomb, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed through a religious edict never to pursue a nuclear bomb.
    Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direction. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.

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