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
As the digital landscape evolves, the companies and ideas shaping tomorrow may come from entirely new directions.
—
Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Rather than having just one exhaust, a removal satellite could have two exhausts pointing in opposite directions.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The safe-haven US Treasury market has been on fire in recent days as traders have been pricing in Fed rate cuts, which tend to drive yields lower and prices higher (prices and yields trade in opposite directions).
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Guards can follow suspects from camera to camera and relay directions to law enforcement in the moment.
—Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
The Framework stresses that, without policy actions, strategic plans risk moving in different directions, lose coherence or fall away.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
As for the slow reimbursement rate, Edwards said the blame can be pointed in several directions.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
Yields and prices move in opposite directions.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
Instead of blasting in all directions, like a primitive roadside bomb, an EFP directs and concentrates the force of its explosion.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Rather than having just one exhaust, a removal satellite could have two exhausts pointing in opposite directions.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The safe-haven US Treasury market has been on fire in recent days as traders have been pricing in Fed rate cuts, which tend to drive yields lower and prices higher (prices and yields trade in opposite directions).
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Guards can follow suspects from camera to camera and relay directions to law enforcement in the moment.
—Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
The Framework stresses that, without policy actions, strategic plans risk moving in different directions, lose coherence or fall away.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
As for the slow reimbursement rate, Edwards said the blame can be pointed in several directions.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
Yields and prices move in opposite directions.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
Instead of blasting in all directions, like a primitive roadside bomb, an EFP directs and concentrates the force of its explosion.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directions
Noun
-
According to the filing, the system provided noose-tying instructions, romanticized suicide, and discouraged seeking help.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Sep. 2025
-
There are other considerations—like whether your child is mature enough to handle the ride's instructions—to keep in mind, though.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Orienteering is an outdoor sport that requires athletes to navigate between checkpoints using maps and compasses.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Many professionals will share honest insights about industry trends and alternative entry points.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
As the Color of the Year phenomenon continues to drive kitchen design trends, with brands like KitchenAid announcing their own shade annually, consumers are increasingly reaching for colorful cookware as a way to express their personal style.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Governors of several Democratic states, including Arizona, Illinois, Maine and North Carolina, have also signed orders intended to ensure most residents can receive Covid vaccines at pharmacies without individual prescriptions.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
-
People with private insurance who fall into eligible groups for these vaccines—or who live in a state with that issued orders to expand eligibility requirements—will not have to pay for such vaccinations through the end of 2026.—
Jaimie Seaton,
Scientific American,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There are, however, key technical challenges such as generating on-demand, indistinguishable single photons with high efficiency, and the probabilistic nature of photonic gates (the electronic elements in a computer performing logic operations).—
Gil Press,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Instead, Syed was forced out this summer despite two decades of experience in counterterrorism and cyber operations.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Since late last year, China has ramped up its restrictions on exports of rare earths, even demanding proof that they will not be used for military purposes.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Thanks to Hobby Japan for sending over this toy and its option parts set for the purposes of this review.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While bad tendencies showed up in each loss enough good things seemed to appear in the wins.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
To identify workaholics, the researchers used established psychological surveys that measure both excessive and compulsive working tendencies.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Ever since, as the Taliban returned to power, once again issuing edicts to suppress women and girls, the clinic and its 34-year-old midwife Atifa have continued to provide a lifeline for mothers and young children.—
Elise Blanchard,
Time,
21 Aug. 2025
-
One of the fundamental edicts of the [original Naked Gun creators] Zucker Brothers was you played against the comedy.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directions. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share