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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 Van Ginkel’s return offers some hope, but this feels like two teams going in opposite directions. Alec Lewis, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2025 Walk for 20 steps before turning and walking 20 steps in the other direction. Leoni Jesner, Health, 1 Nov. 2025 Farrell and Kidman are outstanding, even as Lanthimos' ritualistic plotting and direction keep them hemmed into their characters' rigid conceptions. Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025 Our roundups of the best telescopes and binoculars for stargazing can help point you in the right direction. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for direction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direction
Noun
  • It's also recommended to teach your children essential information like full name spellings, birthdates, addresses and any instructions on what to do in case of an emergency, according to the organization's safety plan checklist.
    Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Use insecticidal soap, neem or horticultural oils, or Spinosad, and follow label instructions.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Vishal Shah will lead AI product management, per an internal memo.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Our software integrates with any retail management system (RMS) or warehouse management system (WMS) to make donating more seamless than ever before, unlocking environmental, social and governance (ESG) wins, operational savings and brand loyalty in one platform.
    Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Then, in the thirteenth century, refinements to an ancient technology, the compass, led to its widespread adoption by sailors.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Lyra also has the ability to read an alethiometer, a marvelous magical device—the titular compass—that can answer any question, but only by way of arcane symbols.
    Lev Grossman, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • And the bubbly contortionist, 42, might have set a trend with those one-of-a-kind movements.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
  • With the Kingpins denim show in Amsterdam fresh in her mind, Velasquez also offered forward-looking trend and business insights on the future of denim.
    Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Stratospheric forecastable order obtained – that is a climate.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • That case revolves around a now-frozen second order from Immergut that blocked the deployment of troops from Oregon.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Avoid abandoning any fire without supervision.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The League also recommended that the sheriff improve training and supervision of deputies, screen all staff for drugs when entering jails and make sure that the jails meet all disability laws and standards.
    Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Like the tides, the house is designed for effortless movement and flow.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2025
  • There is the possibility of a significant storm surge and destructive waves along the southeast coast of Cuba late on Tuesday or on Wednesday with peak storm surge heights up to 11 feet above normal tide levels.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Owners who defy this edict will be tied down and forced to watch their machines being destroyed during a demolition derby that will be free for the public to watch.
    Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direction. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

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