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
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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
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3
as in memorandum
a written communication giving information or directions
a growing stack of unread directives from the company's senior vice president
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of directive
The directive repealed federal guidance that schools work to avoid racial disparities in school punishments.
—
Stacker, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
Marshall arrived at 30 Rock without much of a directive.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2026
Armstrong reported the directive explicitly classifies the approval of municipal ordinances as nonpartisan political activity — a category the directive does not prohibit military members from engaging in.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
Malissa Mabey Photo Such an esoteric directive might’ve deterred some designers, but Julia Miller of the AD PRO Directory firm Yond Interiors was thrilled to synthesize Henkemeyer’s highly specific (and yet abstract) ideas into a tangible home.
—Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for directive
Stacker, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
Marshall arrived at 30 Rock without much of a directive.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2026
Armstrong reported the directive explicitly classifies the approval of municipal ordinances as nonpartisan political activity — a category the directive does not prohibit military members from engaging in.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
Malissa Mabey Photo Such an esoteric directive might’ve deterred some designers, but Julia Miller of the AD PRO Directory firm Yond Interiors was thrilled to synthesize Henkemeyer’s highly specific (and yet abstract) ideas into a tangible home.
—Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for directive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directive
Noun
-
The secret to the best control is to make the insecticide applications, following label instructions, before flower buds begin to open.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
-
The instructions are crystal clear as to exactly where the centerline must be.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
At the time of his death, the 53-year-old president was enmeshed in a constitutional crisis over his tenure, and his ruling by decree following his dismissal of the Parliament.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
-
France’s highest administrative court will make a ruling based on their conclusions, which will be enacted by government decree.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
In March 2024, law enforcement received a tip that Rutherford had sold 235 rare coins at a Liberty jewelry store, according to the sentencing memorandum.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
-
Balzano said the new suppression system was already under construction when the lawsuit was filed and stemmed from a memorandum of understanding signed in August 2025 with the city of Camden.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Vancouver’s mayor issued a stern edict to keep the Whitecaps in town.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
My worry is edicts from Hartford.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Less than two hours after the Supreme Court's ruling was announced, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson released a statement vowing to retry the one-time attorney.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
The ruling meant the tariffs shouldn’t have been imposed and thus were unlawful from the beginning.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Pizza, you’ve been put on notice.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
About 4,000 residents paid about $15 each to file notices of opposition to block that request, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
According to the source, Foxx (who is already a dad of two) was working on getting his career back in order after his medical issues, leading to his brief breakup from Huckstepp.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
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The paella is large and the tapas are, of course, small so order accordingly and perhaps study the menu beforehand.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
And Tuesday, Cypress was able to manufacture a run in the seventh to leave him with a no decision.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
Parting ways with Morey was ultimately not an easy decision for the 76ers, but Philadelphia’s inability to take the next step in a constantly changing East played a significant role in the organization’s direction.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directive. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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