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

Election officials contend there isn’t enough time to revise their systems to comply with the new Postal Service directives. — Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Election officials contend that there isn’t enough time to revise their systems to comply with the new Postal Service directives. — Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Some Chinese journalists have received directives to not conduct interviews with family members of dead or missing people and to use only material from Xinhua, according to Human Rights Watch. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

In each state, the governor is responsible for issuing flag directives. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026

The mayor and other commissioners are chosen by voters and can direct the city manager through resolutions and other directives to take actions for the city. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Meanwhile, a full review of the procedures and directives in the use and oversight of Flock technology is underway, Bottoms said. — Mark Morales, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

As they’ve mercifully been decreased from six to four to three over the last 50 years, so have the prime directives. — Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026

In 2024, Western intelligence officials started gathering evidence that gangs in Scandinavia were subcontracting local teen-agers to carry out Iranian directives. — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026