1
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
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in supervises
to look after and make decisions about
the music teacher directs both the student orchestra and the marching band
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of directs
Ephemera directs the brain to the tiniest concrete nubs of consciousness, calming the quaking mind and bringing us back to ourselves.
—
Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Other commissions, 30 of which are listed on the city’s website not counting planning and housing codes, could face similar challenges if the council directs staff to include the reductions as part of its final budget proposal.
—Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026
Jon Favreau directs the Disney/Lucasfilm film, which releases globally May 22.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 19 May 2026
The president’s executive order directs regulators to review their policies for opportunities to update that might encourage innovation and increase competition while still maintaining safety — then take steps to do so.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 19 May 2026
The research on self-talk shows that instructional self-talk, the kind that directs attention, tends to outperform pure motivation.
—Heather Yerrid, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
TrumpRx directs cash-paying consumers to drug manufacturers' websites or coupons that can be used at pharmacies.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Markowicz directs from her original script, which blends drama and dark satire to broach issues of privilege, complex family relationships, inheritance, and how the elite strive to maintain polished appearances in a fast-paced, ever-changing world.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 17 May 2026
Finally, the measure also directs funds to a limited-income program that caps monthly bills for vulnerable residents.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Other commissions, 30 of which are listed on the city’s website not counting planning and housing codes, could face similar challenges if the council directs staff to include the reductions as part of its final budget proposal.
—Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026
Jon Favreau directs the Disney/Lucasfilm film, which releases globally May 22.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 19 May 2026
The president’s executive order directs regulators to review their policies for opportunities to update that might encourage innovation and increase competition while still maintaining safety — then take steps to do so.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 19 May 2026
The research on self-talk shows that instructional self-talk, the kind that directs attention, tends to outperform pure motivation.
—Heather Yerrid, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
TrumpRx directs cash-paying consumers to drug manufacturers' websites or coupons that can be used at pharmacies.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Markowicz directs from her original script, which blends drama and dark satire to broach issues of privilege, complex family relationships, inheritance, and how the elite strive to maintain polished appearances in a fast-paced, ever-changing world.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 17 May 2026
Finally, the measure also directs funds to a limited-income program that caps monthly bills for vulnerable residents.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs
Verb
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Essentially, the question of which conducts the first lunar landing likely comes down to a balance of execution timing and ambition.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
22 May 2026
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The Kane County Health Department conducts its annual West Nile virus surveillance program each mosquito season, placing mosquito traps throughout the county to monitor for virus activity, officials said.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2026
Verb
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The legislation, which won't take effect until after the November 2026 election, instructs the secretary of the Senate to place senators' paychecks on hold during the duration of any future federal government shutdowns.—
Lalee Ibssa,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
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The memo instructs creators who sign on to make new social media accounts under usernames that reflect their names or a nickname, avoiding brands, random numbers or anything that looks like spam.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Beaulah orders Joaquin to clean up the mess, which involves dragging his brother to rehab and possibly intimidating Wes’s highly suspicious widow, Whitney (Olivia Rose Keegan), into leaving town.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
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The system also surfaces items a customer usually orders but forgot to mention — reducing the leakage that happens when a store’s shelf label goes missing or a product gets moved.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Major Kevin Corbett, who works for the BSO’s detention department, testified that the rapper is kept in a 30-cell unit by himself and an emergency-response team — dressed in tactical attire — supervises him 24 hours a day.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
-
The Chinese government officially recognizes five religions — Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Protestantism and Islam — and tightly supervises them.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The legislation aims to increase housing supply and reduce regulatory barriers to construction, with the House adding amendments to the Senate version of the bill to restrict large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
20 May 2026
-
Trump aims to stop tracking corporate diversity How diverse is corporate America?—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
Verb
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In this specific case, the system is called the Bermuda high, a semipermanent area of high pressure hanging out over the Atlantic Ocean to the east of North America that is also one of the atmospheric features that steers summer hurricanes.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
19 May 2026
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The state’s local control funding formula, passed in his first term, steers more money to schools with more low-income, English-learner and foster students.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The brand’s signature French elegance really shines in this crossbody bag, thanks to its turtledove leather exterior, gold-tone hardware, and fold-over flap closure that channels true European sophistication.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2026
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The sculptural Monde sofa gives a nod to Art Deco, and the curvature of the Courbe side table channels a form popular in the early 20th century.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
14 May 2026
Verb
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In it, Martin, who is curating the show, tells Elmo of the significance of the performance — and gets some help choosing the performers.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
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Turner tells him the story is already filed with the press.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directs. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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