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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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
Hegseth’s directive would put that number south of 30.
—
Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 5 May 2025
Trump's trade policies, including tariffs and protectionist measures, and his emphasis on national champions in industries like steel and automobiles echo this imperial approach, prioritizing national economic directives over free market principles.
—Frank Lavin, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
However, the corporation is not a federal agency subject to such directives, putting the efficacy of the order into doubt.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 3 May 2025
The officials, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said the directive was largely viewed as a way for the U.N. to brace for potential additional cuts by Mr. Trump and to proactively insulate it from the financial blow.
—Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directive
Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 5 May 2025
Trump's trade policies, including tariffs and protectionist measures, and his emphasis on national champions in industries like steel and automobiles echo this imperial approach, prioritizing national economic directives over free market principles.
—Frank Lavin, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
However, the corporation is not a federal agency subject to such directives, putting the efficacy of the order into doubt.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 3 May 2025
The officials, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said the directive was largely viewed as a way for the U.N. to brace for potential additional cuts by Mr. Trump and to proactively insulate it from the financial blow.
—Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directive
Noun
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Murphy brought the jury back into the courtroom and read them the Allen charge, a set of instructions given to a jury that believe it’s deadlocked.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2025
-
Follow a healthcare provider's recommendations or label instructions when taking matcha.—
Ross Phan,
Verywell Health,
12 May 2025
Noun
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The government of Michoacán enacted a state decree on April 17 that prohibits the performance and/or reproduction of music that promotes the glorification of criminal activities at public events.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
10 May 2025
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According to a new decree signed by Putin last November, soldiers with severe injuries will receive 3 million rubles (about $30,000), while those with minor injuries will receive 1 million rubles ($10,000) and the least serious are paid 100,000 rubles ($1,000).—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Noun
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The memorandum of understanding, signed with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) conference in Mumbai, outlines plans for a cutting-edge film, television and media campus at Godrej City, Panvel.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
4 May 2025
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The two sides signed a memorandum, published on April 18, as an initial step towards clinching an accord on developing mineral resources in Ukraine.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Doctors and other health care providers across the VA have been left scrambling and short-staffed amid an ever-shifting series of cuts, hiring freezes and other edicts from the White House.—
Eric Umansky,
ProPublica,
6 May 2025
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For most of her two-year Stanford career, Canady hadn’t been able to talk frankly with the softball staff because of an edict from Stanford administrators.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
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On Saturday, however, the plans were thrown into doubt when an appeals court paused the earlier ruling that had prompted the return-to-work message.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
3 May 2025
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This ruling affirms core constitutional freedoms all Americans hold dear, including free speech, due process, and the right to select counsel without the fear of retribution.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
Confirm employee leave status before issuing layoff notices.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
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Only a handful of studies remain in the pipeline from the agency's injury prevention researchers that had been authored before layoff notices were delivered on April 1, the employee said.—
Kierra Frazier,
CBS News,
16 May 2025
Noun
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Once that occurs, in relatively short order the vaunted AGI is figured out.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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The episode concluded with Ellie and Dina (Isabela Merced) leaving Jackson, Wyoming, and heading to Seattle against town orders.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
Noun
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Fighting will pause to allow for Alexander's safe passage, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, a day after Israel was told of Hamas' decision to free the last surviving U.S. hostage in Gaza as a goodwill gesture to President Trump.—
Jane Onyanga-Omara,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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Amazon filed a lawsuit claiming that Trump had improperly pressured Defense Department officials on the decision.—
Clare Malone,
New Yorker,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directive. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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