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
Each of them comes with their own QR code which, when scanned, directs observers to the Department of Justice’s Epstein Library or to other evidence of affiliation, Hyperallergic reported.
—
News Desk, Artforum, 10 Mar. 2026
That order directs the Treasury Secretary and the Attorney General to ensure ticket scalpers comply with the IRS' tax collections, and directs the Federal Trade Commission to work with the Attorney General to ensure competition laws are enforced.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
The item, which Holness amended during the meeting, directs Superintendent Howard Hepburn to develop a three-year plan that reduces district staff by 1,000 positions in the first year and between 500 and 1,000 positions the following two years.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
The House voted 88-19 on Monday on a measure (SB 1028) that directs Citizens to establish two clearinghouses for commercial residential and non-residential policies by January 1, 2027.
—Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Berry also confirmed that 2020 ballots were destroyed, in compliance with state statute, which directs how long election materials must be kept.
—Benjamin Swasey, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
Who directs and produces Imperfect Women?
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026
Argyle head coach Chance Westmoreland directs his players during first half action against Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill.
—Dallas Morning News, 7 Mar. 2026
Greg Mottola directs episodes 101, 102, 107 and 108 and also serves as an executive producer.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 3 Mar. 2026
News Desk, Artforum, 10 Mar. 2026
That order directs the Treasury Secretary and the Attorney General to ensure ticket scalpers comply with the IRS' tax collections, and directs the Federal Trade Commission to work with the Attorney General to ensure competition laws are enforced.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
The item, which Holness amended during the meeting, directs Superintendent Howard Hepburn to develop a three-year plan that reduces district staff by 1,000 positions in the first year and between 500 and 1,000 positions the following two years.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
The House voted 88-19 on Monday on a measure (SB 1028) that directs Citizens to establish two clearinghouses for commercial residential and non-residential policies by January 1, 2027.
—Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Berry also confirmed that 2020 ballots were destroyed, in compliance with state statute, which directs how long election materials must be kept.
—Benjamin Swasey, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
Who directs and produces Imperfect Women?
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026
Argyle head coach Chance Westmoreland directs his players during first half action against Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill.
—Dallas Morning News, 7 Mar. 2026
Greg Mottola directs episodes 101, 102, 107 and 108 and also serves as an executive producer.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs
Verb
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Located in Oklahoma City near the OU Health Sciences Center, Dean McGee Eye Institute also conducts vision research and trains future ophthalmologists through its residency and fellowship programs.—
Community's Choice Awards,
Oklahoman,
7 Mar. 2026
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The lawsuit alleges the business constitutes unlicensed gambling and that Kalshi conducts this business in Michigan without the licensing approval of the Michigan Gaming Control Board in violation of the LSBA.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The governor’s order instructs Florida agencies to prevent the two groups and those who have provided them material support from receiving contracts, employment and funds from a state executive or cabinet agency.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
If the department verifies a high-risk situation, the bill instructs it to assign the case as Priority I, meaning the child is in immediate danger or in a life-threatening situation, and DHW takes action immediately, according to department guidelines outlined in the Idaho Child Protection Manual.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The agreement approved by the City Commission on Tuesday prohibits immigrant detainees from being released into Leavenworth unless they were arrested there or if a court specifically orders it.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
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Four-up works to Weis’s strengths When the wind drops, the race management orders the crews to reduce from their standard six on board in order to take weight out of the boat.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
-
Jack Lang had been summoned to report on Sunday to the Foreign Ministry, which supervises the Arab World Institute, a cultural and research institution that promotes understanding of the Arab world.—
Reuters 13 hr ago,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
HyCAT aims to ease that pressure.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The satellite also hosts the European Union’s Copernicus Sentinel-4 mission, which aims to monitor key air quality trace gases and aerosols over Europe in support of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) at high spatial resolution and with a fast revisit time.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Whether China can use that shifting landscape to accelerate its rise as a global power will depend in part on how well Xi’s government steers the economy.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
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Co-produced by Jorge Milliano, Tomy B and J-Trons, and written by Gael, Kenneth Vargas, and Derek, the song steers away from Nicky’s signature reggaetón sound, and welcomes the Puerto Rican artist into Venesti’s musical realm — one that’s powered by Latin Afrobeats and pop fusions.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Something about a collared shirt layered under a sweater that instantly channels academia and class.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
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When their son Hamnet dies suddenly, Agnes and William are thrown into unimaginable grief, which the Bard then channels into arguably the most influential play of all time.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Phil Alden Robinson directed Kevin Costner to one of the most beloved performances of his career as an average Iowan who hears a voice that tells him to build a baseball field.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Jokic either fell or flopped — depending on who tells it — over the top of George four minutes into the game when the burgeoning Utah star tried the maneuver.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directs. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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