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

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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

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 Dominic Biscari and the deadly Westport crash The new directive comes less than a month after a ruling in the case of a Kansas City fire truck driver involved in a deadly December 2021 crash in Westport that killed three people. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026 Netanyahu’s new directive applies to outposts built without authorization from the Israeli government, Reuters reported on Sunday, citing two people familiar with the decision. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2026 Within the next month, dozens of Flock cameras and other similar license-plate recognition cameras across South Florida will be dismantled from state roads after a new directive issued by the Florida Department of Transportation. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026 Election officials contend there isn’t enough time to revise their systems to comply with the new Postal Service directives. — Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 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
  • Ask for the source, confirm the reservation, or reread the instructions yourself.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Yet his Parma team-mates ranked lowly too, suggesting this was a tactical instruction.
    — Aston Villa, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • The electoral decree only lists the UN sanctions as a reason under which someone can be barred from running for office.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
  • But the president has total discretion on when to issue the decree, so Lula can sit on it as long as is politically convenient.
    — Marina Dias, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of decree
Noun
  • Nearby facilities support development Starfighters will gain access to Vaya’s propulsion laboratory and precision machining facility under the memorandum.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Those are some of the main items pertaining to working conditions that were codified in a memorandum of understanding between the NHL and NHL Players’ Association in June 2025.
    — Chris Johnston, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of memorandum
Noun
  • Many believe Beijing perceived Tung as a loyalist who would obey the Communist leadership’s edicts.
    — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Countless speakers left the Pale of Settlement – the territory in Eastern Europe where Jews had been granted permission to live under an edict of the Russian czars.
    — Ilan Stavans, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of edict
Noun
  • Some told the Miami Herald that the ruling blocks the path to asylum and that the cases cannot be evaluated in a vacuum.
    — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The ruling blocked Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins from conducting the election using the new map.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of ruling
Noun
  • The notice could come from a bank, retailer, employer, healthcare provider, insurer, school or another organization.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Attorneys for Shanetta Bossell filed a notice of intent to rely on lack of mental capacity defense, according to court records filed Friday.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of notice
Noun
  • The attack on mail ballots comes as Germany approaches a potentially historic state election that could shatter one of the taboos of its postwar political order by opening the door to a far-right government.
    — Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Some breeds are more prone to joint injuries, so take care that your pup is in good working order for a long outdoor walk.
    — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of order
Noun
  • Kyle Ross / Imagn Images First there was Bohm doubling back — a debatable decision, certainly, with a strong center fielder and a ball hit toward one of the trickiest parts of Citizens Bank Park.
    — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • This part of Friday’s decision cited the Supreme Court’s previous ruling that limits on coordinated spending violated the First Amendment.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of decision

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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 13 Sep. 2026.

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