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

As a result, the governor has issued a variety of directives on data centers since June, including a pause on data center development and lawmakers in Texas are reacting. — Jack Fink, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Leaders often flood employees with updates while failing to reinforce priorities and strategic directives. — Don Weber, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

At the time, the court decided that a challenge to other sections, including directives on Medicaid funding, were not ready for litigation. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 14 Aug. 2026

Party directives call for greater Chinese influence over rules governing the oceans, polar regions, cyberspace, outer space, nuclear safety, anticorruption efforts, climate change, and international finance. — Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026

In May, the state Supreme Court upheld the gerrymandered map, bolstered by directives from Missouri’s secretary of state and attorney general. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026

The new directives represent the administration’s latest effort to fulfill a long-standing campaign pledge by testing the constitutional boundaries of birthright citizenship through complex legal arguments. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026

Zaid Arzate, Powerhouse’s director of development and data center construction, said that even before Abbott’s directives, their plan met those requirements. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2026

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