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

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 Transportation officials said delays in the northbound direction stretched up to an hour as of Saturday afternoon, with a roughly two-mile stretch taking drivers far longer than usual to navigate. Da Lin, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026 That was a huge move in the right direction that saved millions of people and different species. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026 That is a notable affirmation of local land-use authority — notable because, for at least the past decade, the Legislature has steadily moved in the opposite direction. Haley Busch, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026 Swim in a direction following the shoreline. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for direction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direction
Noun
  • But when cooking them at home, detour from the package instructions.
    Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 May 2026
  • His book is both an instruction guide and a primer.
    Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • Breaking Barriers met or exceeded most benchmarks set by the California Board of State and Community Corrections, including goals for referrals, case management, employment placements and housing assistance, according to the research.
    City News Service, Daily News, 2 May 2026
  • Taking the time to research and select roses for our gardens that are disease resistant and not susceptible hosts is our best management tool.
    Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • Values act as both a compass and a driving force, pointing you toward the right goals and motivating you to pursue them.
    Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Alignment lasers and the ship’s gyro-compass ensured the rotors were plumb and correctly oriented.
    Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Chandeliers are Timeless Trendy statement lights tend to have a short shelf life, and the French often embrace interior design trends through accessories like art rather than fixtures.
    Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Now, local leaders and realtors are hoping that outreach and education for potential Black buyers could be the key to reversing the trend.
    Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • An Uber Eats delivery driver was shot while picking up an order outside a Chinese takeout joint in Brooklyn on Friday, cops said.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
  • Once leading the series 3-1, the Magic will have to rally in a win-or-go home Game 7 on the road Sunday in order to advance out of the first round for the first time since 2010.
    Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • His grandfather’s illustrations of Indian history and culture adorn India’s constitution; the iconic four-lion emblem that is the government’s official letterhead and is found on the cover of each Indian passport was designed by one of his students under his supervision.
    Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
  • The mall proposed a parental supervision rule, banning unaccompanied minors during peak holiday business hours.
    Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • This frustrating bureaucratic situation has been part of California’s landscape for 50-plus years and there’s been no hope to rein in the abuses, but the tide seems to be turning following a variety of court cases and legislative efforts to limit the commission’s powers.
    Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
  • The suit also cites the Disney-Fox deal and the Amazon-MGM merger as evidence that the industry is facing a tide of consolidation that must be stopped.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • My worry is edicts from Hartford.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
  • While many edicts are necessary to protect public safety, many more are redundant, wasteful and anti-competitive, piling on unnecessary costs and stymieing innovation.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direction. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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