Synonyms of direction

direction

noun

də-ˈrek-shən 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• instruction
• order
• edict
• directive
• do
• injunction
• command
• commandment
• charge
• imperative
• decree
• word
• behest
• requirement
• dictate
• demand
• mandate
• law
• rule
• regulation
• prescription
• statute
• ordinance
• precept
• counterorder
• countermand
• prescript

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appeal
• petition
• plea
• proposal
• recommendation
• suggestion
• entreaty
• urging

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• management
• supervision
• control
• operation
• administration
• handling
• oversight
• stewardship
• government
• guidance
• governance
• leadership
• regulation
• presidency
• running
• charge
• conduct
• superintendence
• care
• superintendency
• intendance
• custody
• agency
• protection
• logistics
• manipulation
• generalship
• engineering
• tutelage
• trust
• guardianship
• safekeeping
• ward
• rulership
• keeping
• aegis
• lap
• machination
• codirection
• comanagement
• coadministration

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compass
• focus
• purpose
• polestar
• intention
• lodestar
• goal
• objective
• criterion
• object
• measure
• standard
• aim
• cynosure
• ambition
• target
• touchstone
• aspiration
• grade
• benchmark
• dream
• yardstick
• par
• mark

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

• trend
• tide
• tendency
• wind
• shift
• current
• drift
• curve
• run
• leaning
• turn
• way
• tenor
• swing
• downside
• habit
• propensity
• upside
• turnabout
• custom
• countercurrent
• countertrend
• undercurrent
• undertow

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of direction

But their underlying conflicts combine with a general dearth of jokes to pull things in the direction of drama. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2026

That has only intensified debate about the direction of the party. — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026

As election laws have proliferated and become more complicated, with early voting, for example, registrars have relied more on Thomas, a Norwalk Democrat in her first term, for direction. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026

From the outset, however, there are warnings in the other direction. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026