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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 The film went on to garner Oscar nominations for Knightley’s performance, Greenwood and Katie Spencer’s art direction and set decoration, Jacqueline Durran’s costume design and Dario Marianelli’s score. Abigail Lee, Variety, 18 Apr. 2025 The orchestra has no music director to push it in this or that direction. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025 Double-check travel plans and directions. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025 Luckily for the Jayhawks, the offense is trending in the right direction. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for direction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direction
Noun
  • Instead of traditional teachers, Alpha employs guides who focus on coaching and emotional support, while AI handles the academic instruction.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
  • Her original post had included a link to a website that provided instructions for buying the tokens.
    Mary Clements Evans, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • The anchor has not been afraid to challenge CBS News management in the past.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Although anyone can pay their rent and earn rewards with Bilt, the company’s Bilt Alliance network of 4.5 rental homes integrates payment platforms with property management systems.
    R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • When the external map is confusing, your internal compass becomes your most reliable guide.
    Kathy Miller Perkins, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The works showcased come from the Kartell archive and include black and white shots that depict Kartell classic items such as the gold compass, or the little chair by Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper.
    Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The American Public Health Association says that as global average temperatures rise, these trends will continue and make allergies an increasing public health concern.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Second, Upwork’s Freelance Forward report released in late 2023 which analyzed the microeconomic and industry trends surrounding freelancing, found that 64 million Americans (the equivalent to about 38% of the U.S. workforce) are already freelancers.
    Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The judge presiding over the case, Beverly Cannone, even issued an order barring supporters of either Read or O'Keefe from demonstrating within 200 feet of the courthouse.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Critics of the order say election oversight is largely reserved for the states, and any sweeping changes must come from Congress, not the White House.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Christopher Wheeldon is directing and choreographing, and music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations are in the two-time Tony-winning hands of Tom Kitt.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The musical will be directed by Christopher Wheeldon (MJ: The Musical), with music supervision by Tom Kitt (Next to Normal).
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • On April 28, Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal Party won a comeback election on a tide of anti-Trump sentiment.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • Amid the crushing weight of history and with the sound of a large bandwagon frantically emptying across the city, Craig Berube is left to press on against the tide.
    Chris Johnston, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Thus, if the administration decides to ignore court decisions ordering noninterference with the states or threatens to coerce state authority to do its bidding, state governments can respond in kind by ignoring lawless federal edicts and refusing to cooperate with federal enforcement efforts.
    Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Many of these grants were likely stopped due to the administration’s edict to get rid of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the federal agencies.
    Joseph Choi, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direction. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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