Synonyms of directives

directives

noun

plural of directive

1

as in instructions

a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned

the company president regularly issues directives intended for all staff members

Synonyms & Similar Words

• instructions
• edicts
• orders
• directions
• injunctions
• commandments
• dos
• imperatives
• decrees
• commands
• words
• requirements
• dictates
• behests
• charges
• mandates
• demands
• rules
• laws
• regulations
• precepts
• statutes
• prescriptions
• ordinances
• prescripts
• countermands
• counterorders

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appeals
• petitions
• recommendations
• pleas
• proposals
• urgings
• suggestions
• entreaties

2

as in decrees

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

• decrees
• edicts
• rulings
• decisions
• proclamations
• resolutions
• diktats
• declarations
• announcements
• rescripts
• ukases
• bulls
• fiats
• determinations
• opinions
• verdicts
• diagnoses
• pronouncements
• conclusions
• judgments
• dicta
• manifestos
• deliverances
• calls
• canons
• encyclicals

3

as in memorandums

a written communication giving information or directions

a growing stack of unread directives from the company's senior vice president

Synonyms & Similar Words

• memorandums
• notices
• memos
• messages
• declarations
• letters
• announcements
• instructions
• reports
• proclamations
• pronouncements
• orders
• words
• edicts
• mails
• postings
• bulletins
• notifications
• commands
• directions
• dictates
• dispatches
• notes
• releases
• rescripts
• charges
• posts
• epistles
• missives
• pronunciamentos
• encyclicals
• jottings

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of directives

That trust is reinforced by a constant focus on improving governance, not solely by directives but by taking in the best advice from all stakeholders. — Liron Zaslansky, semafor.com, 22 July 2026

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

Federal directives apply to federal properties, while state directives apply to facilities for state agencies. — Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

Lawmaking and legal interpretation convert human goals and values into legible directives. — John Nay, Fortune, 14 July 2026

As part of a pair of executive directives signed by Bass last week, city officials are requiring Lineage and the owner of the building, Chill Build, to submit a comprehensive cleanup plan to the city. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

There are moves in Congressto extend that life to 2032, however, as well as directives for NASA to support through missions to commercial space station replacements through 2040. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 July 2026

India relies heavily on foreign AI models and computing hardware, which makes its AI ambitions vulnerable to export control directives of other countries. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz,priyanka Salve, CNBC, 4 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