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
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 directions
Striping, an optical illusion, comes from the color differences of grass blades bending in opposite directions.
—
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2026
Ramsbottom was at his desk when the drone smashed through the workspace's tin ceiling, spraying shrapnel in all directions, and lodging a chunk of glass in the back of his head.
—Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Rao has described some of the new directions to more tightly integrate healthcare delivery with payor systems as a way to drive efficiency.
—Elizabeth MacBride, CNBC, 19 May 2026
That’s incredibly useful when navigating menus, asking for directions, or communicating abroad without fumbling through translation apps.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
After some quality time together on Lake Minnetonka last weekend, members of the Minnesota Wild are headed off in all directions to spend the summer months.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 19 May 2026
The final Cocteau Twins album is an underrated gem that hints at directions the band could have continued in.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 12 May 2026
Empty fields and croplands surround Denver International Airport in most directions.
—Mead Gruver, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Nearby, Highway 60 was closed in both directions before partially reopening on May 11.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2026
Ramsbottom was at his desk when the drone smashed through the workspace's tin ceiling, spraying shrapnel in all directions, and lodging a chunk of glass in the back of his head.
—Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Rao has described some of the new directions to more tightly integrate healthcare delivery with payor systems as a way to drive efficiency.
—Elizabeth MacBride, CNBC, 19 May 2026
That’s incredibly useful when navigating menus, asking for directions, or communicating abroad without fumbling through translation apps.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
After some quality time together on Lake Minnetonka last weekend, members of the Minnesota Wild are headed off in all directions to spend the summer months.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 19 May 2026
The final Cocteau Twins album is an underrated gem that hints at directions the band could have continued in.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 12 May 2026
Empty fields and croplands surround Denver International Airport in most directions.
—Mead Gruver, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Nearby, Highway 60 was closed in both directions before partially reopening on May 11.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directions
Noun
-
Add noodles and cook according to package instructions.—
Ryan Brennan
May 18,
Charlotte Observer,
18 May 2026
-
Follow evacuation instructions without delay.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
These are different eras, and the respective managements are no longer the same, but something about this feels off.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 May 2026
-
Information about Spirit’s plans was equally scarce among managements of airports the airline serves.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
As for steering a buggy to the Artemis base, compasses don’t work on the moon, and dust will adhere to optics, so NASA has pioneered plans to use Earth’s Galileo and GPS satellites to navigate.—
Dan Vergano,
Scientific American,
11 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Analysts and journalists have used aggregate EEO-1 data to conduct research and provide insights into workforce trends across job categories, industries and regions.—
Michelle Travis,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
Public safety dominated the exchange, with sharp disagreements over crime trends, law enforcement authority and the role sheriffs should play in statewide policy.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued in the area.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
19 May 2026
-
In brief orders, the high court set aside lower court decisions and sent the cases back for further proceedings in light of its landmark ruling last month weakening Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
That particular section, which sets new standards around warehouse operations and gives employees more information about company quotas and biometric surveillance, has drawn pushback from CBIA.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
-
Joe Ingles is departing, and president of basketball operations Tim Connelly and Finch have always valued having a veteran with a strong voice on the bench to help the younger players.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Iran, which says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, was said to have included some nuclear concessions in its latest proposal to end the war.—
Michelle L. Price,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
-
For many people, getting life insurance or disability insurance would serve similar purposes while offering greater flexibility.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
But over time, these tendencies have taken their toll.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
The movie only hints at the underlying social tendencies that a populist exploits.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directions. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
