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

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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 The New York Times, which first reported on the nationwide arrest operation, reported the directive came from the White House. — Vera Lucia Pappaterra, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 Ask questions instead of issuing directives with the understanding that curiosity communicates that others’ perspectives always have value. — Mikhail Shneyder, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Brennan argues the records are vital to a potential vindictive-prosecution defense, citing more than 100 Trump statements attacking him and directives to pursue cases without legal basis. — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 The president signed his directive aiming to restrict birthright citizenship on his first day back in the White House as part of a sweeping crackdown on immigration. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 30 June 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
  • The best way for passengers to reduce their risk of injury is to follow crew instructions and keep their seat belts fastened when directed.
    — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026
  • Most of the victims died while attempting to flee and ignored shelter-in-place instructions, said Antonio Sanz, president of Andalusia’s emergency services.
    — Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • While the threshold sparked debate, the decree offers financial incentives for parties to merge by discounting registration fees for coalitions and alliances.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
  • Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued the decree on Thursday, calling for the election to be held in all of the Palestinian Territories.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 July 2026
Definition of decree
Noun
  • The grim reality may come to pass, because the memorandum of understanding that Iran and the United States signed last month appears to have unraveled.
    — Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026
  • Trump and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding in mid-June, which kicked off a 60-day negotiating period toward a final deal to end the conflict.
    — Courtney Kube, NBC news, 9 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
  • The ruling covers four Proud Boys whose sentences Trump commuted, while a separate bid to overturn Oath Keepers’ seditious conspiracy convictions have yet to be decided.
    — Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
  • In an 80-page ruling obtained by Rolling Stone, the Puerto Rico Supreme Court found that Carliz De La Cruz Hernández can move forward with her claim that the recording’s use violated her right to protect her identity from commercial exploitation.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2026
Definition of ruling
Noun
  • Set stipulates that residents be packed and prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
    — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 11 July 2026
  • Lawyers representing Meta filed a notice of appeal this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of notice
Noun
  • If pad thai is already your go-to order, Mama Sidas needs to be in the rotation.
    — Justin Brown, AJC.com, 12 July 2026
  • The judge stressed that his order should not be mistaken as an endorsement of the Department of Justice’s decision to abandon the case.
    — Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of order
Noun
  • Be sure to weigh costs, storage needs and risk tolerance before making a decision.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • In the order, which formally denied motions for reconsideration filed by both sides following an earlier decision, Moskowitz said the case screams for an out-of-court resolution.
    — Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 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 13 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of directive for Spanish Speakers

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