1
as in funnels
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
Norwegian Disney vet Joachim Rønning directs the third film, which stars Jared Leto as the eponymous program, Ares, Greta Lee as Eve Kim, CEO of ENCOM, the tech corporation at the center of the series since the start, and Evan Peters as baddie Julian Dillinger.
—
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2025
Boston native Mendoza directs and executive produces the show alongside Aaron Brown and David Martin.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
Jennifer Lopez, Gabriel Luna and Tonatiuh star, while Bill Condon directs.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
While Bob struggles to charge the low-tech phone that’ll connect him with the French 75, Sensei coordinates skateboarders as messengers and directs his relatives and employees to evacuate the dozens of migrants his family is sheltering to a nearby church.
—Robert Daniels, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Freddie Francis, the veteran schlockmeister who also lensed Martin Scorsese's Cape Fear (1991), directs the beautiful absurdity.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
Courtesy of Ember Brendan Pierpont directs electricity modeling at the independent energy think tank Energy Innovation.
—Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Rite Aid’s website now directs former customers to a page on how to obtain and request prescription and immunization records as well as how to find which pharmacy their prescriptions have been transferred to.
—Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2025
In their complaint, the unions allege the budget office's memo unlawfully directs agencies to disregard their own authorizing statutes.
—Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2025
Boston native Mendoza directs and executive produces the show alongside Aaron Brown and David Martin.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
Jennifer Lopez, Gabriel Luna and Tonatiuh star, while Bill Condon directs.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
While Bob struggles to charge the low-tech phone that’ll connect him with the French 75, Sensei coordinates skateboarders as messengers and directs his relatives and employees to evacuate the dozens of migrants his family is sheltering to a nearby church.
—Robert Daniels, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Freddie Francis, the veteran schlockmeister who also lensed Martin Scorsese's Cape Fear (1991), directs the beautiful absurdity.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
Courtesy of Ember Brendan Pierpont directs electricity modeling at the independent energy think tank Energy Innovation.
—Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Rite Aid’s website now directs former customers to a page on how to obtain and request prescription and immunization records as well as how to find which pharmacy their prescriptions have been transferred to.
—Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2025
In their complaint, the unions allege the budget office's memo unlawfully directs agencies to disregard their own authorizing statutes.
—Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs
Verb
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In contrast, the American system, Farley argues, funnels too many young people toward white-collar paths, overlooking the lucrative and essential blue-collar economy.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
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Making matters worse for Allaire and his colleagues, the Rhode Island 401(a) account automatically funnels many participants into a costly product that generates profits to TIAA, the huge New York financial firm designated by the state to handle the plan.—
Gretchen Morgenson,
NBC news,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The doctrine instructs that an erroneous fact in a story is not, by itself, sufficient for a defamation claim.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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The alert also instructs any residents of Hugine Suites, who are not currently in the dormitory, to report to Smith–Hammond–Middleton Memorial Center, an Orangeburg arena.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the past, only elite researchers had access to their genetic fingerprints, but now personal genotyping is available to anyone who orders the service online and mails in a spit sample.—
Merrill Fabry,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
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What To Know The USDA memo, sent to all state agencies on October 3, orders states to begin complying with new work requirements for ABAWDs from November.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 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
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The assistant chief directly supervises section commanders, providing leadership, mentorship and guidance.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Hatch Act prohibits certain political activities by federal government employees and aims to protect federal employees from political coercion at work.—
Lillian Rizzo,Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
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This strategy will reduce the time between launches for the fully reusable rocket, which SpaceX aims to fly multiple times per day.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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From there, the hurricane center’s track steers the storm far away from land, even Bermuda to the north.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
9 Oct. 2025
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McKissick recommends sticking within the 19 to 24 inch frame range and steers her clients toward the sleek Samsung Frame when possible.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As Homeland Security secretary, Noem oversees the Transportation Security Administration, the federal agency that conducts airport security checks.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Oct. 2025
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As director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo, which conducts cutting-edge research on the conditions for peace, I am often asked whether such claims hold weight.—
Nina Græger,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
13 Oct. 2025
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So if nothing else, history tells us to expect a good game between quite possibly the best the NFC has to offer against a team coming off five Super Bowl appearances in six years.—
Scott Chasen,
Kansas City Star,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directs. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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