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
To the Yurok Tribe, the large bears are considered relatives who could teach humans lessons, said Tiana Williamson-Claussen, a biologist who directs the tribe’s wildlife department.
—
Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Carl Beverly and Sarah Timberman are executive producers, along with Carl Hiaasen, Jason Tracey, and Paul McGuigan who directs and executive produces.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
Far better resourced than Iran’s regular armed forces, the IRGC controls roughly half of the country’s $376 billion economy and directs Iran’s nuclear program.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 6 Apr. 2026
In a release from Carnegie Mellon University, Sean Qian, who directs the school's mobility data analytics center, said there are going to be more people on the roads than usual, even though Pittsburgh Regional Transit has warned people not to drive.
—Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
The compromise bill directs the CCC to make recommendations for regulation.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
The order directs federal agencies to bolster the effectiveness of key rules on transferring, eligibility and pay-for-play by evaluating whether violations of such rules render a university unfit for federal grants and contracts.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Kristoffer Borgli directs the hell out of the former and doesn’t have a clue how to handle the latter.
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Contrary to what some legal commentators have implied, Gorsuch never directs the lower court to use strict scrutiny.
—Kevin Cope, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Carl Beverly and Sarah Timberman are executive producers, along with Carl Hiaasen, Jason Tracey, and Paul McGuigan who directs and executive produces.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
Far better resourced than Iran’s regular armed forces, the IRGC controls roughly half of the country’s $376 billion economy and directs Iran’s nuclear program.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 6 Apr. 2026
In a release from Carnegie Mellon University, Sean Qian, who directs the school's mobility data analytics center, said there are going to be more people on the roads than usual, even though Pittsburgh Regional Transit has warned people not to drive.
—Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
The compromise bill directs the CCC to make recommendations for regulation.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
The order directs federal agencies to bolster the effectiveness of key rules on transferring, eligibility and pay-for-play by evaluating whether violations of such rules render a university unfit for federal grants and contracts.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Kristoffer Borgli directs the hell out of the former and doesn’t have a clue how to handle the latter.
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Contrary to what some legal commentators have implied, Gorsuch never directs the lower court to use strict scrutiny.
—Kevin Cope, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs
Verb
-
According to polling released on April 2 by the Napolitan News Service, a nonprofit that conducts polling, 65% of American voters plan on celebrating the holiday.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Each of these units conducts investigations and participates in federal lawsuits related to its expertise.—
Jennifer Selin,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In 2012, 73 percent of Coloradans approved Amendment 65, which instructs our legislature and congressional delegation to support a federal constitutional amendment allowing reasonable limits on campaign spending.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Cyrene then instructs her son to appease the nymphs, Eurydice’s companions, and to make funeral offerings to Eurydice’s husband Orpheus.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, supreme commander of the Luftwaffe, Hitler’s second in command, and the highest-ranking surviving Nazi leader, steps out of the car, stands at attention to announce his surrender, and orders the soldiers to carry his bags.—
Alice Kaplan,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Although the decision orders a re-sentencing, there's a chance Peters will be handed the same sentence again.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The group recruits, trains and supervises volunteers who represent children in the foster care system in juvenile courts, according to its website.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
First To Serve, the nonprofit that supervises the hotel, did not respond to inquiries from The Times.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Amazon aims to have the best membership service in the world, and live sports have become a big part of it.—
Andrew Marchand,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Hatfield said the cooperative aims to lease back its headquarters site, one of the smaller buildings on the campus, from any buyer.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Perfectionists Nini and Jane are feeling a bit neurotic, while Darlene Mitchell helpfully steers Juicy to develop a Karen that will lean into her strengths and make Ru laugh.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
There’s also Marcus Samuelsson’s Streetbird on the Beach, which channels Caribbean flavors with dishes like Calypso conch fritters, escovitch chicken, and plantain waffles.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Tapping celebrity guests like A$AP Rocky and Tame Impala for an album of silky cosmic funk, Thundercat channels the id of the geeky, emotionally maladjusted loner.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Pitchfork,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The poem tells the story of the seduction of a sixteen-year-old girl by the watermonster, a mythical figure, weaving together themes of place, identity, trauma, and transformation.—
Patrick Dundon,
JSTOR Daily,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, carbs—the body’s primary energy source—increase your blood sugar, or blood glucose, and, in turn, trigger the pancreas to secrete insulin (a hormone that tells the body’s cells to absorb glucose to prevent an overload).—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directs. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
