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
After months of struggling with the PATH’s wayfinding system which directs visitors to neighborhoods and landmarks, Teófilo decided to create a navigational app of his own, Toronto PATH.
—
Vivian Song, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
This observation shows how subtle cosmic architecture directs galaxies' destinies, influencing their formation, interactions, and evolution.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 16 Feb. 2026
McClarnon, 59, not only stars but produces, directs and agonizes about getting it right.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Markus Schleinzer, filmmaker of Michael and Angelo and former casting director to Michael Haneke, Jessica Hausner, and Ulrich Seidl, directs the black and white film about mysterious soldier Rose (Hüller), a woman disguised as a man, who appears in a secluded Protestant village.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2026
Of two Montana homesteaders at war over a gate installed on a private road, one is a nerd culture YouTuber who directs his fans’ ire toward the ever-present thorn in his side.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Soon thereafter, a gear fishing pal of yours gifted you an old, unused fly rod, and that totally grabs a hold of you and completely directs the rest of your life.
—Outside Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Lastly, the city officials announced an order that directs the city's health department and the Department of City Development to work together to determine the best course of action to attract and retain grocery stores.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
The new ordinance removes mechanisms for the city to address complaints, and instead directs city staff to connect residents with outside resources.
—Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2026
Vivian Song, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
This observation shows how subtle cosmic architecture directs galaxies' destinies, influencing their formation, interactions, and evolution.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 16 Feb. 2026
McClarnon, 59, not only stars but produces, directs and agonizes about getting it right.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Markus Schleinzer, filmmaker of Michael and Angelo and former casting director to Michael Haneke, Jessica Hausner, and Ulrich Seidl, directs the black and white film about mysterious soldier Rose (Hüller), a woman disguised as a man, who appears in a secluded Protestant village.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2026
Of two Montana homesteaders at war over a gate installed on a private road, one is a nerd culture YouTuber who directs his fans’ ire toward the ever-present thorn in his side.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Soon thereafter, a gear fishing pal of yours gifted you an old, unused fly rod, and that totally grabs a hold of you and completely directs the rest of your life.
—Outside Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Lastly, the city officials announced an order that directs the city's health department and the Department of City Development to work together to determine the best course of action to attract and retain grocery stores.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
The new ordinance removes mechanisms for the city to address complaints, and instead directs city staff to connect residents with outside resources.
—Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs
Verb
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And the bureau has said its digital evidence laboratory conducts hundreds of audio and video examinations each year.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Billboards around San Francisco advertise a product that conducts audits before your AI girlfriend breaks up with you; founders are earnest about curing death.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The directive also instructs the Los Angeles Police Department to preserve all evidence related to immigration enforcement operations so it can be reported.—
Chelsea Hylton,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
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An acronym for Size, Activity, Location, Uniform, Time, Equipment, SALUTE is a mnemonic device that typically instructs soldiers how to systematically track details about enemies.—
Asra Q. Nomani , Alba Cuebas-Fantauzzi,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Judge orders his deportation An immigration judge ordered his removal in November, refusing to hear his asylum bid because he was found to be a human rights violator, according to an ICE spokesman and his lawyer.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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Prosecutors say once inside the bar, Burkes points the gun at Drysdale, orders her around the bar, and takes items from the cash register and office.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Jack Lang had been summoned to report on Sunday to the Foreign Ministry, which supervises the Arab World Institute, a cultural and research institution that promotes understanding of the Arab world.—
Reuters 13 hr ago,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Rodriguez works at an after-school program in Orange County and supervises third graders.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At the same time, the law aims to funnel more money toward the women seeking an escape from the streets.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
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According to the founders, the FutureNarrative Fund aims to move beyond symbolic gestures of cooperation and instead create durable working structures.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The mayor's executive order steers the assessor to adopt the International Association of Assessing Officers ratio standards, produce a mass appraisal report and modify the city's economic condition factors.—
Dana Afana,
Freep.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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The lifestyle and luxury executive, who joined Trudon in March 2025, also steers the creative strategy of its sister company Carrière Frères, a French interior fragrance brand.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Transcend Time with Florals The dining room sets the stage for Feste’s love of pattern, particularly in the form of House of Hackney’s Flora Fantasia in Ecru, which channels the space’s former ambience.—
Katherine Owen,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
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Zesica Off-shoulder Knit Sweater Dress Fans of Jacquemus will love the Zesica Off-shoulder Knit Sweater Dress, which channels the designer brand’s aesthetic at a fraction of the price.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The look tells us where style might go next – a more nuanced conversation.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Earlier in the show, Chioma tells Choe how British Vogue’s Gisele Pelicot digital cover story came to be.—
Chelsea Daniel,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directs. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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