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
Neil Sheehan, who directs Woolpert’s data center design team, said public scrutiny isn’t the only factor in clients’ new attention to aesthetics.
—
Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Gilroy penned the script and directs.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Abrego Garcia’s lawyers further said the original removal order the government relies on, which was backdated to 2019, directs his deportation to El Salvador while simultaneously barring his removal to that country.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 6 Jan. 2026
The bill directs the agency to review the costs and benefits of adding new medications and equipment to emergency medical kits, including whether their contents can adequately treat opioid overdose and anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.
—Tushara Surapaneni, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
The Social Network’s Oscar-winning writer Aaron Sorkin pens and directs this continuation of the sinister parable.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2026
David Fincher directs, with Quentin Tarantino’s blessing and the latter’s script.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026
If the label directs you to dry clean only, believe it.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 31 Dec. 2025
But here, stranded alongside Bradley Cooper (who has the same deer-in-headlights look), she’s completely lost as a Depression-era woman who goes mad after losing a child and directs her fury at a woman who had an illegitimate son with her husband years earlier.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2025
Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Gilroy penned the script and directs.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Abrego Garcia’s lawyers further said the original removal order the government relies on, which was backdated to 2019, directs his deportation to El Salvador while simultaneously barring his removal to that country.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 6 Jan. 2026
The bill directs the agency to review the costs and benefits of adding new medications and equipment to emergency medical kits, including whether their contents can adequately treat opioid overdose and anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.
—Tushara Surapaneni, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
The Social Network’s Oscar-winning writer Aaron Sorkin pens and directs this continuation of the sinister parable.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2026
David Fincher directs, with Quentin Tarantino’s blessing and the latter’s script.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026
If the label directs you to dry clean only, believe it.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 31 Dec. 2025
But here, stranded alongside Bradley Cooper (who has the same deer-in-headlights look), she’s completely lost as a Depression-era woman who goes mad after losing a child and directs her fury at a woman who had an illegitimate son with her husband years earlier.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs
Verb
-
SpaceX conducts many of its own rocket launches, most using the Falcon 9 rocket, from California and Florida.—
Eric Lagatta,
AZCentral.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Lebanon's National Council for Scientific Research, which conducts research and advises the government on policy, has documented almost 500 homes destroyed after the ceasefire in just three border villages and hundreds more houses damaged.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
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
-
With his gun pointed at McNealy, Heisler orders him to show his hands and not reach for anything.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The agent then orders Parias to turn off his vehicle.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Sebastio supervises retail, finance and an in-house team of three designers for product consistency, as the brand was first inspired by his own and his father’s wardrobe.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The assistant chief directly supervises section commanders, providing leadership, mentorship and guidance.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Immediately after the Honda shifts from reverse into drive and begins to move ahead, that agent at the front of the vehicle, standing near the driver’s side headlight, pulls out a gun and aims at the driver.—
Devon Lum,
Twin Cities,
8 Jan. 2026
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The company says the system aims to tackle persistent challenges in the hospitality industry, including labor shortages, inconsistent drink quality, and long service times.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The vibe definitely steers more toward homey than hotel, which is fitting considering its remote, spectacular location.—
Chadner Navarro,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The plot unfolds at the urgent but erratic pace of a life-altering business deal, as Bonitzer unfussily steers us through a series of small rooms as people scramble to determine the proper thing to do with Schiele’s painting.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The show channels a certain energetic, zany sense of humor viewers could recognize from their own adolescent friendships and antics, culminating in a five-season run and a 2021–2023 revival on Paramount+.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
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As New York City's first lady, Rama Duwaji channels art-world chic.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rose tells Shaw that her community is concerned about sacred remains being disturbed.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
In this intimate portrait of life during the exhilarating early days of the women’s liberation movement in Scandinavia in the 1970s, Pernille Ipsen tells the stories of the seven women who raised her, who were all part of the women’s movement in Denmark.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directs. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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