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
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
Indonesian director Timo Tjahjanto (Nobody 2) directs working from a script by Kurt Wimmer, who wrote the original.
—
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
Éric Piccoli directs the series, which premieres in Quebec March 26.
—Jennie Punter, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026
Historically, when adding a new regulatory office, the board directs the county’s chief administrative officer to gather expert information and return with formal recommendations — a process being ignored here.
—Summer Stephan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
And when a city directs opportunity so unevenly, the results eventually become visible in its architecture.
—Tonika Lewis Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
The order directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Commerce to coordinate with relevant parties, including the NCAA, the College Football Playoff (CFP) and broadcast partners, to secure an exclusive broadcast window for the standalone game.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
The policy also directs Congress to preempt any state laws regulating the way models are developed.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
James Longman is lead producer, Liz Clare directs and Daran Jonno Johnson is head writer for the UK version.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Mar. 2026
James Longman is lead producer, Liz Clare directs and Daran Jonno Johnson is head writer.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
Éric Piccoli directs the series, which premieres in Quebec March 26.
—Jennie Punter, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026
Historically, when adding a new regulatory office, the board directs the county’s chief administrative officer to gather expert information and return with formal recommendations — a process being ignored here.
—Summer Stephan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
And when a city directs opportunity so unevenly, the results eventually become visible in its architecture.
—Tonika Lewis Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
The order directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Commerce to coordinate with relevant parties, including the NCAA, the College Football Playoff (CFP) and broadcast partners, to secure an exclusive broadcast window for the standalone game.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
The policy also directs Congress to preempt any state laws regulating the way models are developed.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
James Longman is lead producer, Liz Clare directs and Daran Jonno Johnson is head writer for the UK version.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Mar. 2026
James Longman is lead producer, Liz Clare directs and Daran Jonno Johnson is head writer.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs
Verb
-
That means their chloroplasts are, too (that’s the part that conducts photosynthesis and contains the pigments that make leaves green).—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Mount Baldy Beach at Indiana Dunes National Park is closing for several months while the National Park Service moves sand and conducts shoreline stabilization work.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a routine step near the end of a flight, the air traffic controller handling approaches into LaGuardia instructs the pilots of Air Canada Express Flight 8646 pilots to contact the airport’s control tower, which will guide them the rest of the way.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Daisy instructs her to focus on making beds and forget the laundry, but Alesia can’t help herself from folding one million towels in the middle of the boat 40 minutes before the guest’s arrival.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The verdict, delivered in New Mexico, orders Meta to pay $375 million in damages.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Just keep in mind that orders shipping from overseas may take a little longer to arrive and are subject to tariffs.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
According to articles 57 and 110 of the constitution, the supreme leader sets domestic and foreign policy and supervises all branches of the government, including the executive, legislature and judiciary.—
Eric Lob,
The Conversation,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The Executive Office for Immigration Review, which supervises the court, didn’t return a request for comment by press time.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Krispy Kreme aims to have franchisees generate nearly 50% of systemwide sales starting in fiscal 2027 through refranchising efforts, the report said.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
-
This approach, often referred to as manned-unmanned teaming, aims to increase operational effectiveness while reducing risk to personnel.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In an era in high school sports where boos, jeers, and uncalled-for chants are the status quo, Shelton steers fans to uplift rather than put down.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Despite recent improvements, the system still steers capital toward expensive new buildings while existing affordable housing converts to market rate.—
Rafael Leon,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Huerta channels her passion into a union Dolores Clara Fernandez was born April 10, 1930, in Dawson, New Mexico.—
Stephanie Elam,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Aside from filmmaking and advocating, Zelniker has established the Mother Water Fund, a nonprofit initiative that channels all proceeds from the series back into the communities featured in the film.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The alert tells the pilots exactly what to do to avoid the collision.—
Clara McMichael,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The state Department of Public Health did not respond in time for this article regarding how many nursing homes have closed in the state in the last two years and what the agency tells families in such a transition.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directs. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
