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
The decision overrode a Biden administration directive to move the headquarters to Greenbelt, Maryland.
—
Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 1 July 2025
In their arguments to repeal the directive, Macron and Merz have suggested that requiring companies in the European Union (EU) to provide this level of disclosure would put these European companies at a disadvantage versus their counterparts in countries like the United States and China.
—Mary Foley, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Amelie overrides her prime directive and begins enacting her main agenda, which is to get uploaded into cyberspace and take over all online networks in the name of world domination, yadda yadda yadda.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2025
Sharing your directives, powers of attorney, and care preferences gives your children the confidence to act quickly.
—Raul Elizalde, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for directive
Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 1 July 2025
In their arguments to repeal the directive, Macron and Merz have suggested that requiring companies in the European Union (EU) to provide this level of disclosure would put these European companies at a disadvantage versus their counterparts in countries like the United States and China.
—Mary Foley, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Amelie overrides her prime directive and begins enacting her main agenda, which is to get uploaded into cyberspace and take over all online networks in the name of world domination, yadda yadda yadda.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2025
Sharing your directives, powers of attorney, and care preferences gives your children the confidence to act quickly.
—Raul Elizalde, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for directive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directive
Noun
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The anonymous eight men and four women on the panel got the case at 11:30 a.m. after hearing a two-hour instruction on the law from Manhattan Federal Judge Arun Subramanian and deliberated through lunch.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
30 June 2025
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Applying for a Nordstrom credit card is simple—just head to Nordstrom.com and follow the application instructions.—
Lauren Alexis Fisher,
Footwear News,
30 June 2025
Noun
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So, the official divorce decree has been delayed because of me starting in Sacramento, and per the terms of agreement, there are some nuances and whatnot.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
21 June 2025
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For two years, news of the Emancipation Proclamation was kept from enslaved people across the South, until Major General Gordon Granger made the long-overdue final enforcement of the decree in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865.—
Nuri Kino,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
School district trauma exposure program The City Council also approved a memorandum of understanding between the Pflugerville school district and the Police Department for participating in the Handle with Care program to assist students who have been exposed to traumatic situations.—
Mason Rouser,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
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The memorandum expands on a similar one the president signed during his first term.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2025
Noun
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Similarly, the May edict only allowed garments to pass through the Nhava Sheva and Kolkata seaports.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
3 July 2025
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Advertisement How the Dalai Lama says his successor will be chosen Under the 2011 edict, only the Gaden Phrodrang Trust, the office of the Dalai Lama, can identify the next reincarnation.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
2 July 2025
Noun
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However, that lifeline is likely temporary: A recent Supreme Court ruling that limited nationwide injunctions could affect the outcome of the Job Corps case and, in turn, the program’s operations.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
5 July 2025
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But the ruling halted enough of the regulations for Planned Parenthood to begin offering procedural abortions again.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
5 July 2025
Noun
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These establishments are also required to post safety notices and offer test kits that can detect if a drink has been tampered with.—
Angela Rodriguez,
Sacbee.com,
1 July 2025
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Most of the hang-up was over the requirement for up to seven days’ notice before officers could break up encampments, which the council reduced to three days before delaying a final vote until June 30.—
Tim Clouser,
The Washington Examiner,
1 July 2025
Noun
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By reviewing footage from her Ring doorbell cam of the delivery being made and going through her DoorDash order history, Knowles was able to piece together what had happened.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
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More than 200 people are under evacuation orders and 50 structures are threatened by the flames, Davis said.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 July 2025
Noun
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Toward the end of our conversation, Victor touched on a recent decision to start moving in and out of pronouns.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
29 June 2025
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The parliamentarian's initial decisions mean Republicans have yanked out efforts to curb environmental regulations; restrict federal judges' powers; bulk up immigration enforcement; and cut funding from a consumer protection agency.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directive. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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