DIRECTIVE Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

directive

noun

Definition of directive

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 Earlier directives, dating to Ronald Reagan’s presidency, treated terrorism as a global menace countered through military power and diplomacy. — Melinda Haas, The Conversation, 17 July 2026 The sweeping directive was issued in September 2025 after the assassination of conservative activist and Trump supporter Charlie Kirk. — Josh Meyer, USA Today, 16 July 2026 The level of physicality was such an issue that some coaches wondered if a directive had come down from WNBA leadership to allow for more physicality. — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 16 July 2026 Federal directives apply to federal properties, while state directives apply to facilities for state agencies. — Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for directive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for directive

Noun

Stop transmitting sleep devaluation, since the research indicates your team is reading your hours as instruction.

— Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Ryerson said the terrain itself can be as critical as instruction in helping beginners progress.

— David Caraccio Updated July 31, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of instruction

Noun

Thursday’s decree says the punishments don’t apply to ideological disagreement or political, academic or civic criticism protected under Argentina’s Constitution.

— Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Italy’s dignity decree, which banned front-of-shirt betting sponsors, is a fig leaf anyway.

— James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 July 2026

Definition of decree

Noun

Battery scale evaluation Factorial has signed a memorandum of understanding with SK On to evaluate the production of its FEST solid-state battery technology using SK On’s existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing infrastructure.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026
The memorandum, released July 28 by watchdog group American Oversight, outlines how TSA and ICE can share passenger information and how that data is stored and used.

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Definition of memorandum

Noun

Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse The highly agile Getty shooter Alan Crowhurst has done us a great favor by bringing concrete cloakroom evidence of the many social and administrative challenges that the (famous) Royal Ascot costume edicts require in order to be properly met.

— Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
The memorandum includes a pledge by Iran to never purchase or construct nuclear weapons — a vow the Islamic Republic has made multiple times before, including by signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, in a religious edict issued by the late supreme leader and in the Obama-era nuclear accord.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026

Definition of edict

Noun

Friday’s rulings empower athletes who finished college this past spring and who want to return.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Aug. 2026
The July 8 ruling prevents law enforcement from being able to deport migrants who swim into the territories, reversing a practice of deporting them on the spot without a legal process.

— Miguel Macias, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of ruling

Noun

Caminero has batted third in nearly half the team’s games (52) and has also been penciled in at the second spot in the order (35) as well as cleanup (23).

— Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Instead, city staff could first more narrowly issue an order to repair a dilapidated historic building and then expedite approval for those repairs on the back end, without needing a hearing through the Historic Preservation Commission.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of order

Noun

The conspiracies of the Heat mistakenly leaking James’ decision to return to Miami also picked up steam, and the Heat simultaneously skyrocketed on the Polymarket and Kalshi prediction market platforms as James’ next team.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Defense attorney Marilyn Bednarski said Burke’s mother, Colleen Burke, managed most of the company’s financial decisions.

— Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 22 July 2026

Definition of decision

Browse Nearby Words

directions

directive

directives

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“Directive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directive. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of directive

noun

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