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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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 The current administration's AI action plan directs agencies to remove barriers to adoption and OMB required an inventory of use cases. — Matt Ashburn, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The order also directs the Department of Justice to investigate where states are in violation of exemptions for childhood vaccine mandates, including parental authority and disability accommodations as well as religious and medical reasons. — Annika Kim Constantino,jacob Pramuk, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026 Ford writes, directs and produces, with a cast that includes Nicholas Hoult, Colin Firth, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Grammy winner Adele in her acting debut. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026 Les Waters directs Faydra, which begins previews on February 2 at the Manhattan Theatre Club ahead of its February 25 opening. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026 But a slightly dusty coffee table isn’t where Chin-Hong directs most of his energy. — Angela Haupt, Time, 10 Aug. 2026 The order also directs the Justice Department to pressure states to reduce the number of vaccines required for school. — Rob Stein, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026 Two panels along the upper and lower body of the Hubble can also be removed to expose the mirrors, as well as the central baffle that directs the light from stars and galaxies to the observatory’s instruments and primary mirror. — Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026 But the law, which directs providers and insurers to settle payment disputes between themselves, has created a new problem. — Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs

Verb

Kalshi has removed all mention markets from its betting offerings as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission conducts its inquiry.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026
Approximately 17,000 customers use the software, and the firm conducts more than 2 million code reviews each week, the company said.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of conducts

Verb

The man composes his responses with the help of a manual that instructs him on which incoming string of Chinese characters should be answered with which other string of Chinese characters.

— Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026
Circe, the poem’s speaker, instructs the nymphs in a recipe for cooking pork.

— Bailey Sincox, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of instructs

Verb

In the book, Rhaenyra also orders that Nettles be imprisoned, but Daemon, who is suspected of being Nettles’s lover, lets her escape.

— James Grebey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Suddenly powering down after an officer orders you to hand over the device could raise questions about your intent.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of orders

Verb

The State Board of Education supervises public K–12 education across the state, overseeing educational interests in Kansas.

— Zuri Primos July 26, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
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

Definition of supervises

Verb

The brand aims to blend the traditional outdoor experience with the service, comfort, and design of a boutique hotel.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
While the company aims to leverage first-party reader data for subscriptions and advertising, critics emphasize the lack of transparency and the availability of privacy-preserving technologies not publicly confirmed for use.

— Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of aims

Verb

When its waters warm in just the right places, the jet stream — the fast-moving river of air that steers storms — often shifts its path.

— Sarah Moore, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026
She’s given away that sum of money in just a matter of a few years, which steers heavily away from how billionaires usually give away their fortunes.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of steers

Verb

Similar events for collectors spread around the world Now Klein channels his passion for vintage computers into organizing festivals, repair workshops, swap meets and other events as president of the Vintage Computer Federation.

— Terry Chea, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
First, a low-voltage DC generator runs a high-voltage AC inverter, which then channels current through a transformer and finally a voltage multiplier.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 July 2026