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
In addition to Brebner, Lea Thompson executive produces and directs.
—
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
Assisted by the low, somber strings of Oliver Coates’ score and the clean, crisp brightness of Judith Kaufmann’s lensing, Volpe directs with much the same simplicity and moderation, toward a pitch-perfect ending of wholly disarming terseness and economy.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
The Housing Supply Frameworks Act directs HUD to convene a task force to develop model zoning codes tailored to urban, suburban, and rural contexts.
—Brad Hunter, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The measure directs the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to create rules to implement it.
—Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice, 26 Jan. 2026
The Don't Worry Darling actor, who directs and stars in the dramatic comedy, got emotional on stage at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on Saturday night when the audience gave the movie an enthusiastic standing ovation, an uncommon response at the festival.
—Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Jan. 2026
Governor DeWine's state of emergency proclamation directs state agencies, including the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, the Ohio Highway Patrol, and the Ohio Department of Transportation, to provide additional resources to local communities as needed.
—Patrick Damp, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026
Her father assists her in making door hangers with a QR code that directs people to her Digital Cookie website.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
Curry co-directs one of eight films in this documentary program.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
Assisted by the low, somber strings of Oliver Coates’ score and the clean, crisp brightness of Judith Kaufmann’s lensing, Volpe directs with much the same simplicity and moderation, toward a pitch-perfect ending of wholly disarming terseness and economy.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
The Housing Supply Frameworks Act directs HUD to convene a task force to develop model zoning codes tailored to urban, suburban, and rural contexts.
—Brad Hunter, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The measure directs the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to create rules to implement it.
—Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice, 26 Jan. 2026
The Don't Worry Darling actor, who directs and stars in the dramatic comedy, got emotional on stage at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on Saturday night when the audience gave the movie an enthusiastic standing ovation, an uncommon response at the festival.
—Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Jan. 2026
Governor DeWine's state of emergency proclamation directs state agencies, including the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, the Ohio Highway Patrol, and the Ohio Department of Transportation, to provide additional resources to local communities as needed.
—Patrick Damp, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026
Her father assists her in making door hangers with a QR code that directs people to her Digital Cookie website.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
Curry co-directs one of eight films in this documentary program.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs
Verb
-
In a typical acquisition, the buyer conducts extensive due diligence to understand the target company’s financial performance, contracts, liabilities, intellectual property, customer concentration, employee matters, and more.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
SpaceX conducts many of its own rocket launches, most using the Falcon 9 rocket, from California and Florida.—
Eric Lagatta,
AZCentral.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If a page instructs you to run code to fix a problem, close it immediately.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The order instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon, former head of the Small Business Administration and co-founder of the World Wrestling Entertainment, to shrink the $100 billion department, which cannot be dissolved without Congressional approval.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
July 2017 The Fire and Police Commission orders Flynn to expand the department’s pursuit policy.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Starting Monday, specialists will deliver reports evaluating the nearly 50-year-old building’s condition and repair costs that could determine whether the City Council orders Dallas’ government hub to stay put or move elsewhere.—
Devyani Chhetri,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Rodriguez works at an after-school program in Orange County and supervises third graders.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The position directly supervises all parole agent specialists and parole agent supervisors assigned to the Division of Training Unit.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
January 5,
Sacbee.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Der Pavilion aims to become a cultural pillar in the Engadin mountain region, serving as an enduring event throughout the ski season and beyond, Pace told WWD.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The country aims to scale up the proportion of SAF to between 7% and 10% by 2035.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Toyota steers through rough terrain Economic uncertainty and inflation made 2025 a tough year for new-car sales.—
Matthew Heimer,
Fortune,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The burgundy and soft petal duo sweetly channels Valentine’s (or Galentine’s) Day, but are more than wearable year round.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The Chilean musician channels the spirit of classic perreo on a reggaeton album shaped by sleek hooks and guided by the twists and turns of battle rap.—
Tomás Gauna,
Pitchfork,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Jennette McCurdy tells Sofia Coppola about writing Half His Age.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
After age 30, people lose, on average, 3% to 5% of their muscle mass each decade, which is an especially risky trajectory for women, Rachele Pojednic, PhD, EdM, FACSM, a nutrition and exercise researcher, and director of education at Stanford Lifestyle Medicine, tells SELF.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directs. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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