directive

noun

Definition of directivenext
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

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 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
  1. instruction
  2. decree
  3. memorandum
  4. edict
  5. ruling
  6. notice
  7. order
  8. decision
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
  • Mehmet Fatih Cicekli, the governor of Ardahan province in eastern Turkey, was removed from his post on July 17 by a presidential decree signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
    — Suzan Fraser, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
  • Although Iran hasn't focused in recent years on the decree, it was never rescinded.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 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
  • Paramount could have opted to wait for the ruling and then immediately appeal to the 9th Circuit.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 25 July 2026
  • Past European rulings have firmly established that citizenship cannot be stripped away without warning, disproportionately, or all at once.
    — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of ruling
Noun
  • In June, a judge suspended his arrest warrant and the international red notice issued to Interpol at the request of Hernández’s lawyer, although the case is still pending.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
  • Last week, a similar notice was issued after the United States Navy intercepted and boarded a ship in the Gulf of Oman.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of notice
Noun
  • French and Spanish authorities issued further evacuation orders overnight, taking the total number of people displaced to 300,000.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
  • After handing Powell her order, Thomas said, laughing, that moments like that had become common since opening the storefront.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 July 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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Cite this Entry

“Directive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directive. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of directive for Spanish Speakers

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