DIRECTS Synonyms: 131 Similar and Opposite Words

directs

verb

present tense third-person singular of direct

as in conducts

to cause to move to a central point or along a restricted pathway the aqueduct directs the water into an artificial lake

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in instructs

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority our tour guide directed us to wait in front of the building until she could rejoin us

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in orders

to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority the caretaker directed that all of the windows be closed before we left

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in supervises

to look after and make decisions about the music teacher directs both the student orchestra and the marching band

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as in aims

to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal we quickly directed our attention toward the noise coming from the rear

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in steers

to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front the guide directed the tour through the museum with commendable efficiency and expertise

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 directs Javier Polo directs the buzz project at Iberseries & Platino Industria’s Co-Production and Financing Forum. — John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026 Choi is managing partner of Equitas Partners and directs the City Council’s Artificial Intelligence Community Engagement (AICE) Initiative. — Steven Choi, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026 Six-time Tony winner Michael Arden directs, adding another major Broadway credit to a resume that includes Spring Awakening, Once on This Island, Parade, and Maybe Happy Ending. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2026 Ticketmaster, which was included in the partnerships already announced, directs users to its own marketplace for payment. — Caleigh Keating, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026 Specifically, the law directs the California Public Utilities Commission to create a pathway for these separate devices to be aggregated to export electricity by June 30, 2027. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026 Love eternally embraces all, Truth reveals goodness, Mind directs us, and Principle governs us. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Oct. 2026 Barry wrote the series, serves as showrunner and is exec producing alongside Susanne Bier, who directs all episodes, as well as Frank Spotnitz, Emily Feller, Tobi de Graaff, and Antoine Douaihy. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026 The proclamation directs state agencies to stage flood-fighting supplies, prepare infrastructure and help communities reduce risks from flooding, landslides and coastal hazards. — Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs

Verb

The organization also consults with major studios and streamers on scripts, content and promotion, conducts research, creates resources for writers’ rooms and creative executives, and awards production grants.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
Each sensor contains a semiconductor element that conducts the electrical current.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of conducts

Verb

Once identified, the AI then instructs the robot’s grippers to grab the item from the waste stream, ready for processing.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
David instructs Johnny to find out what Taylor & Byrne know about Flora Monroe, discreetly.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of instructs

Verb

Moments later, MacKinney storms in, kills one of Colum’s guards, and orders his men to round up the castle’s women and sequester them in the chapel.

— Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
The moment when the audience gets up, goes to the restroom, orders drinks, and chats in the hallway.

— Olivier Bouchara, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of orders

Verb

Frot-Coutaz also supervises Sky Studios Elstree, Sky’s state-of-the-art film and TV studio, plus Sky Studios’ global portfolio of production companies that includes Blast!

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
Jim DeFrain, who supervises the investigation and the Metropolitan Explosive Disposal Unit, said initial testing indicated the presence of hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of supervises

Verb

In 2025, the company opened a global fragrance atelier in Paris, called La Maison des Paroberfums, which aims to accelerate innovation across its portfolio of fragrance brands including Jo Malone London, Le Labo, Kilian Paris and more.

— Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
The military operation there aims to restore sovereignty and confront the Houthi militia that’s attacking not just Saudi Arabia and Yemen, but the arteries of the global economy.

— Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of aims

Verb

Amenities and Experiences Live at The Sun Rose is a music venue that channels the property's history as the House of Blues while carving its own identity.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Composed of top-of-the-line cotton and swathed in a rich Ruby Red for fall, the zip-up also comes with a drawstring hood and channels an inherently nostalgic, Americana kind of energy.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of channels

Verb

The film, billed as a biographical dramedy, tells the story of a chaotic boardroom crisis at OpenAI in November 2023, when co-founder Altman was fired and then re-hired at the AI giant.

— Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Ilya is looking for work as an assistant, and the professor, with his dandyish nerd arrogance, tells him to look at a paper he’s written and come back in a few days.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026