1
as in instructions
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in managements
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something
working under the close direction of the engineering supervisor
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in compasses
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 trends
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
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Recent Examples of directions
Prior to that time, a conservative who dared toss the dirty indictment at his or her opponent would face disapproval from all directions, and, of course, condemnation from the legacy media.
—
Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2026
Now that her eldest son is in his 20s and her youngest son, 14, is old enough to stay home by himself, the actor feels ready to expand in all directions.
—Zeba Blay, SELF, 21 Apr. 2026
Atlanta has a $24 million team option on Kuminga this offseason that could go several different directions, especially because the Hawks have had a relatively small sample of games to work with him.
—Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Ternus is already leading Apple’s current hit products in new directions.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
People are different; their experiences might have little overlap; their values pull in competing directions.
—Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Make sure to wear a mask, gloves, and protective eyewear when working with these chemicals, and always follow product directions when using.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
Recall that a flagellar motor switches directions, causing the bacterium to tumble, when environmental conditions seem to be getting worse.
—Quanta Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
Asking for directions or striking up a conversation with locals is genuinely easy.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026
Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2026
Now that her eldest son is in his 20s and her youngest son, 14, is old enough to stay home by himself, the actor feels ready to expand in all directions.
—Zeba Blay, SELF, 21 Apr. 2026
Atlanta has a $24 million team option on Kuminga this offseason that could go several different directions, especially because the Hawks have had a relatively small sample of games to work with him.
—Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Ternus is already leading Apple’s current hit products in new directions.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
People are different; their experiences might have little overlap; their values pull in competing directions.
—Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Make sure to wear a mask, gloves, and protective eyewear when working with these chemicals, and always follow product directions when using.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
Recall that a flagellar motor switches directions, causing the bacterium to tumble, when environmental conditions seem to be getting worse.
—Quanta Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
Asking for directions or striking up a conversation with locals is genuinely easy.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directions
Noun
-
Your brother had similar pressure put on him by the national team after disobeying instructions and speaking out.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
-
This is a strong time to confirm details, send clear instructions, and keep things moving without overcomplicating it.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Increasingly, managements at the gleaming apartment complexes that have been built in the past few years are offering deals or discounts to prospective tenants, a practice that wasn’t happening back when the mega-wave of new apartment construction hit Connecticut after the pandemic.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In such a scenario, IPOs offer a better play for the Indian markets as managements and bankers price the issue attractively, drawing significant investor interest, experts told CNBC.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Pilots learn to navigate using maps and compasses, as well as natural cues such as stars and terrain features including rivers, bridges and other landmarks to orient themselves and move toward friendly forces.—
Luis Martinez,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Likewise, this administration has demonstrated a talent for sudden pivots — foreign policy statements that change overnight, budget proposals that evaporate by morning, and messaging that suggests the communications team may be using different maps, compasses and time zones.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sign up for our weekly newsletter that goes beyond the livestream, offering a closer look at the trends and figures shaping the ETF market.—
Krysta Escobar,
CNBC,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Throughout the series, Swisher tests a variety of biotech breakthroughs and wellness trends for herself (think ketamine, red light and sound therapy).—
Erin Lassner,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The arrangement is in effect until the pair's next hearing on April 30, when the judge will review their competing protective orders.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Nearly seven months after federal troops were preparing to deploy to Chicago during Operation Midway Blitz, a federal judge on Monday granted a motion to dismiss the state’s lawsuit over the mobilization amid assurances that the presidential orders have been rescinded.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Demolition and recovery operations will resume Sunday morning at the site of the parking garage that partially collapsed this week in Grays Ferry.—
Ryan Hughes,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Security company Trend Micro has documented that actors who’ve worked on past operations benefiting the North Korean government have used these addresses, particularly in scams involving fake recruiters.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Princess Elizabeth and her family toured the Sandringham Park grounds, which were being used for agricultural purposes to contribute to the war efforts, in August 1943.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
But as soon as one flagellar motor reverses direction and starts rotating clockwise, the bundle falls apart; the reverse-twirling filament unravels the braid and puts the cell’s flagellar motors at cross-purposes, kicking the cell around.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There were no signs the victim had suicidal tendencies, according to police.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
While Heuermann could hold the key to previously-unknown details surrounding the inner workings of a serial killer’s mind, Burgess cautions the ability to work alongside the FBI could feed into any narcissistic tendencies that are frequently observed in the most heinous criminals.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directions. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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