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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of directive
Colbert said the directive from lawyers came following a guidance on changing broadcasting regulations put forward by chairman of the FCC Brendan Carr in January.
—
Callum Sutherland, Time, 17 Feb. 2026
Coast Guard officials have privately raised concerns about some of the secretary’s directives and use of Coast Guard resources to service her priorities, the sources said.
—NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026
During two recent wintry swipes in North Georgia, drivers largely abided by the directive to keep off the roads.
—Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Eager sycophants run behind him to carry out his directives and repeat his absurdities.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directive
Callum Sutherland, Time, 17 Feb. 2026
Coast Guard officials have privately raised concerns about some of the secretary’s directives and use of Coast Guard resources to service her priorities, the sources said.
—NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026
During two recent wintry swipes in North Georgia, drivers largely abided by the directive to keep off the roads.
—Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Eager sycophants run behind him to carry out his directives and repeat his absurdities.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directive
Noun
-
One drugged and raped his own wife according to Pelicot’s instructions and offered her to Pelicot; another proposed his mother as a prospective victim.—
Gaby Wood,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Similar laws in Texas and Arkansas face federal court challenges as Republicans nationwide push to incorporate religious instruction into public schools.—
Hannah Schoenbaum,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Yoon lifted the decree about three hours later.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
These spaces were absolutely off limits to children, by the stern decree of our mothers and grandmothers.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The new structure is described in a memorandum of understanding signed in October 2025 by OpenAI and the California attorney general, and endorsed by the Delaware attorney general.—
Alnoor Ebrahim,
The Conversation,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The Canadian government has been taking several steps to try to boost automotive manufacturing, including signing a memorandum of understanding with Korea on clean vehicle manufacturing and releasing a new automotive strategy.—
Robert Ferris,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Commissioner Adam Silver delivered an edict on potential changes for the 2026-27 season to deter tanking as a whole during a general managers meeting Thursday, according to an ESPN report.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
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Covid-19 bred doubt about government edicts and skepticism about science, provoking an existential battle for truth.—
Richard Edelman,
Time,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Yoon, who can appeal the ruling, had denied the insurrection charge, saying his imposition of martial law was meant to alert the public to paralysing political gridlock caused by the opposition party’s majority in the National Assembly and its impeachment of several senior officials.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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After losing similar cases, the decision to tap Kelesis indicates the White House does not expect a ruling in Chattah's favor.—
JESSICA HILL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But the notices of claim filed by Schwab offer a different perspective on what happened.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The notice formalized a Supreme Court ruling last month that the concessions for the Balboa and Cristobal terminals near the Panama Canal, which Panama Port Company (PPC), a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, had held for more than two decades, were unconstitutional.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The judge's order prohibits officials from preparing for the referendum through March 18.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
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Husband cleared, but path forward uncertain Judge Barry Wood of Idaho’s 5th Judicial District granted the defense’s alternative perpetrator theory for trial in a November 2025 order.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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On Tuesday, the council did not make any comments about its decision during a special meeting with a single item to approve of the new contract.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
18 Feb. 2026
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There’s no need to book a table here, as all four restaurants reserve a space for residents, ideal for my often last-minute dining decisions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directive. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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