1
2
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

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 Swim in a direction following the shoreline. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025 There's a willingness there, but there's just, there's not the direction of the funds. Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025 Even now, my only friend was drifting off in another direction. Sam Lipsyte, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025 Video footage posted on X by the police appeared to show smoke bombs being thrown from the stands in the direction of officers. Luke Bosher, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for direction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direction
Noun
  • Max was in the tender while Christian and Tessa worked the connecting lines according to Nathan’s careful instructions.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Some blankets can be used on a couch or bed, but many require a hard, flat surface—always follow your model’s instructions.
    Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That money is being taken away from habitat management, stocking and improving fisheries for anglers.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
  • In fact, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid’s camp asked the company about the marker, Gina Lázaro, VP of brand management at Sharpie’s parent company, Newell Brands, told Fortune in an exclusive interview.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Each garment comes with a dedicated black badge with a blue compass logo, as well as nickel shank badge buttons.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The car featured three particularly unique elements — the ashtray, the 'suicide knob' on the steering wheel, and the compass.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This trend has followed a similar pattern across Europe, with Spain and Germany also seeing a boost in this system’s use after a quieter period.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Fortunately, the timing fits well with the overall industry trend of electrifying the oilfield and transitioning away from dirtier diesel power.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Be sure to allow 20-30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark, and use a red light if needed in order to avoid ruining your night vision.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Judge Mark Pittman, in a sharply ironic four-page order on Thursday, encouraged the companies to relocate their headquarters to Fort Worth, given their preference for the antitrust lawsuit to be heard there.
    Dan Mangan,Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The version screening at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival was restored by The Walt Disney Studios using a new 4K 16-bit scan of the original negative at Roundabout Entertainment under the supervision of directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Keeping Instagram updated on both devices ensures all settings and parental controls function correctly and new supervision features are available.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But there’s no stopping this tide of change, and never has been.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The tide, however, may be turning.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Of course, Nix never has to worry about the pain his defensive teammates can inflict, protected in practice by the strict don’t-touch-the-QB edict.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The announcement mentioned relocating operations due to Trump’s edict, suggesting that the global group’s fundraising apparatus is based in the United States.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direction. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on direction

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!