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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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 Moreover, in recognition of the fact that a person not a nation actually directs the film, the director’s name and not the country’s will be engraved for posterity on the statuette plaque. — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026 As the plant directs energy to heal the wounds caused by pruning, the rest of the plant suffers. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 17 July 2026 Margaret Flanagan, who now directs the ongoing nun study at UT Health, has family members who attended a Chicago school run by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026 For example, Colorado directs people to the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Unit. — Mollie Simon, ProPublica, 16 July 2026 Judith’s handler, Sam (Calam Lynch), directs her to take her target out quietly. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 July 2026 YouTube comedian Bo Burnham directs this empathetic portrait of Kayla (Elsie Fisher), an insecure adolescent who posts motivational vlogs on YouTube while privately struggling with her self-image and burgeoning sexuality. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026 Make sure every downspout directs water at least 6 feet away from the house—and even farther if possible. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 13 July 2026 The human still directs the crime, but the AI agent does much of the repetitive technical work that used to require patience, expertise and time at the keyboard. — Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs

Verb

That idea crosses over into the way an organization conducts business.

— Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
As a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, which conducts surveillance and testing for animal disease outbreaks, CSU will provide support to the state if screwworm is detected here.

— Sarah Tomlinson, The Conversation, 24 July 2026

Definition of conducts

Verb

The physician performs a detailed history and physical examination, reviews prior films, discusses conservative management, and orders physical therapy plus non-opioid analgesics.

— Richard Menger MD MPA, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
In one of the most memorable scenes from Homer’s 2,800-year-old poem, Odysseus ties himself to a ship mast and orders his crew to plug their ears with beeswax, so as not to be lured in by the dulcet yet deadly songs of the Sirens.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Definition of orders

Verb

David Smith, who supervises the district’s aedes crew, said his team has received an increasing number of service requests for day-biting mosquitoes within the neighborhood.

— Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
View on Spotify Randall Poster, Air Mail’s Music Editor, supervises the music in movies.

— Air Mail, Air Mail, 4 July 2026

Definition of supervises

Verb

The campaign, a joint effort with SEIU Doctors United, aims to advocate for improved working conditions, stronger patient care and better protections for academic freedom.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
South Korea aims to double its memory production capacity within five years and secure world-class manufacturing capabilities to pull far ahead of competing nations.

— Hooyeon Kim, Fortune, 25 July 2026

Definition of aims

Verb

Schumer, who steers millions in outside spending through a constellation of PACs, threatened to freeze all investments in Maine unless Platner ends his campaign, but has otherwise stayed silent on the jockeying.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 7 July 2026
That warming changes where thunderstorms develop near the equator, which can shift the jet stream — the fast-moving river of air that steers storms across North America.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Definition of steers

Verb

The historical data tells us that workplace promotions and outcomes have not been evenly distributed.

— Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Etched onto each of the bands is a series of letters and numbers that, if it’s captured again, tells the next researcher where this bird has been.

— Mack Baysinger Follow, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026