1
as in instruction
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned
the company president regularly issues directives intended for all staff members
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decree
an order publicly issued by an authority
a directive issued by the archbishop that is to be read during Sunday services at every parish
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in memorandum
a written communication giving information or directions
a growing stack of unread directives from the company's senior vice president
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 directive
While the raids are following legal directives from federal authorities, protests have erupted amid reports that detainees were being held in the basement of a federal building.
—
Andrew Stanton
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
Students and their college programs have been struggling with how to address the ever-fluctuating directives.
—Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 11 June 2025
Hegseth has posted numerous videos of his morning workouts with troops or of himself signing directives to purge diversity and equity programs and online content from the military.
—Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
The directive cited federal authority to ensure the continuity of government functions, a justification reminiscent of Cold War-era civil unrest crackdowns, but without clear precedent in a non-insurrection context.
—Nik Popli, Time, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for directive
Andrew Stanton
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
Students and their college programs have been struggling with how to address the ever-fluctuating directives.
—Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 11 June 2025
Hegseth has posted numerous videos of his morning workouts with troops or of himself signing directives to purge diversity and equity programs and online content from the military.
—Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
The directive cited federal authority to ensure the continuity of government functions, a justification reminiscent of Cold War-era civil unrest crackdowns, but without clear precedent in a non-insurrection context.
—Nik Popli, Time, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for directive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directive
Noun
-
The only instructions for the theater audience that night will be to get their butts in the seats before curtain.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
6 June 2025
-
Residents were advised to heed official warnings throughout the severe weather cycle and stay alert for any additional storm advisories or emergency instructions.—
Barney Henderson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
The landscape was further muddled by the CDC announcing that the Covid-19 vaccines would remain on the childhood immunization schedule, contradicting RFK Jr.’s decree.—
Shreyas Teegala,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 June 2025
-
In 2022, the war’s early months, Zelenskyy repeatedly called for a personal meeting with the Russian president but was rebuffed, and eventually enacted a decree declaring that holding negotiations with Putin had become impossible.—
SAMYA KULLAB,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2025
Noun
-
In a sentencing memorandum, his attorney wrote that he’s taken responsibility and apologized.—
Sara Schilling,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2025
-
Russia has been launching a record number of drones and missiles in recent days, despite both sides trading memoranda at direct peace talks in Istanbul on June 2 that set out conditions for a potential ceasefire.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
Ball State University and Ivy Tech Community College have already eliminated DEI programs in response to GOP edicts.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
31 May 2025
-
However, in keeping with a new edict from the chancellor and his new government, tangible details of that deal were not forthcoming.—
Sebastian Shukla,
CNN Money,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
The judge granted that additional time in the Tuesday ruling, giving the Administration until Wednesday to file its response and setting a hearing for the following day.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
11 June 2025
-
However, given that litigation can take months or longer and given that Coley wants to play this fall, Dever’s ruling deals a major blow to Coley’s chances to be eligible for the 2025 season.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
The California Employers Assn. recommends creating a four-step response plan that should address the following: Who needs to be alerted if ICE shows up or a notice is received?—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
-
In February, the fund received notice that the grant would be terminated.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 June 2025
Noun
-
By Sunday, as images of burning self-driving cars and confrontations near the downtown federal detention center spread across social media, Trump issued a presidential order deploying 2,000 National Guard troops.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
11 June 2025
-
What measures are being implemented by the hospitality industry in order to even the playing field for women seeking C-suite positions?—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
Where fans sit is just one of many game day operations decisions made with TV in mind.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
17 June 2025
-
According to the decision, Watkins was also ordered to pay more than $19,000 to cover investigative and prosecution costs.—
Stepheny Price , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directive. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share