1
as in funnels
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
Fatih Akin directs, from an autobiographical screenplay by octogenarian filmmaker Hark Bohm.
—
Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025
Tim Mielants—who also led last year’s adaptation of Small Things Like These—directs.
—Emily Temple
september 30, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
Stan Brooks directs and executive produces both movies.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
In this view, much like a communistic god-computer, the market directs resources and organizes human action according to its own logic.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 29 Sep. 2025
Luca Brinciotti directs the 25-minute documentary, which is available to watch on Czinger’s YouTube channel.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
Maggie Gyllenhaal directs from her own screenplay and produces alongside Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Talia Kleinhendler and Osnat Handelsman Keren.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2025
The funniest bit is a footnote, in which Lipman directs us to a tiny corner of professional dissent.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
By interfering with one of those COX enzymes, acetaminophen inhibits these prostaglandins from forming, says Steven Dudley, a clinical toxicologist and pharmacist, who directs the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center at the University of Arizona.
—Josh Fischman, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2025
Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025
Tim Mielants—who also led last year’s adaptation of Small Things Like These—directs.
—Emily Temple
september 30, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
Stan Brooks directs and executive produces both movies.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
In this view, much like a communistic god-computer, the market directs resources and organizes human action according to its own logic.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 29 Sep. 2025
Luca Brinciotti directs the 25-minute documentary, which is available to watch on Czinger’s YouTube channel.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
Maggie Gyllenhaal directs from her own screenplay and produces alongside Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Talia Kleinhendler and Osnat Handelsman Keren.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2025
The funniest bit is a footnote, in which Lipman directs us to a tiny corner of professional dissent.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
By interfering with one of those COX enzymes, acetaminophen inhibits these prostaglandins from forming, says Steven Dudley, a clinical toxicologist and pharmacist, who directs the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center at the University of Arizona.
—Josh Fischman, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs
Verb
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Making matters worse for Allaire and his colleagues, the Rhode Island 401(a) account automatically funnels many participants into a costly product that generates profits to TIAA, the huge New York financial firm designated by the state to handle the plan.—
Gretchen Morgenson,
NBC news,
25 Sep. 2025
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On Earth, our magnetic field funnels those particles toward the poles, giving rise to the famous northern and southern lights.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The email obtained by NPR instructs employees working on energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to avoid using about a dozen words and phrases, many of which are central to their work.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
30 Sep. 2025
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Further, Trump’s executive order instructs these agencies to coordinate surveillance with public health and welfare agencies to address disorderly elements in communities, even when that person has not committed a crime.—
Kate Caldwell,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When the King orders Ji-yeon to be the royal cook, the two begin to grow closer.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
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Miami cancels school, orders state of emergency About 10 minutes to the west, the community of Miami was also recovering from intense flooding.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The private firm, which Yu says had $20 million in revenue in 2024, provides consulting, supervises construction and drafts designs for urban landscapes around the world.—
Elisabeth Brier,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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Cucinelli supervises the company’s image and communication, especially through social platforms, and has greatly contributed to reach out to the younger generations.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Now, Stern, who co-founded Apple Fitness+ and previously oversaw Ford's subscription services, aims to upgrade Peloton's products in an effort to match its wide range of class types with its hardware.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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China's Tianwen 3 mission aims to launch in late 2028 and return Mars material to Earth in 2031.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And McConaughey, as a nervy reluctant hero, steers the searing, intense narrative about normal people living through the most hellish of circumstances.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
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How exactly this occurs will shape the way the atmosphere steers the developing storm.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The deeper story is about how America now conducts foreign policy.—
Dan Perry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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SpaceX conducts many of its own rocket launches, most using the Falcon 9 rocket, from California and Florida.—
Eric Lagatta,
AZCentral.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Your mind tells you one thing while your intuition says another.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
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So, right there that tells us a lot.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directs. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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