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
The order also directs the expansion of advanced AI in national security systems and national critical infrastructure such as rural hospitals, community banks and local utilities.
—
Joey Garrison, USA Today, 3 June 2026
For Washington, having a say in who directs — and in many other aspects of filmmaking that have more to do with what goes on behind the camera than in front of it — has made producing a priority.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 2 June 2026
The plan directs City Manager Mario Vasquez to negotiate with team officials and other government agencies to hammer out a deal that will determine how much the city will provide.
—Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026
The order also directs the attorney general to prioritize prosecuting crimes involving AI, with a particular focus on cybercrimes.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 2 June 2026
Martinez directs much credit to pitching coach Kyle Snyder and those who labor over pitching charts and the like.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Delays in production led to a four-year gap between the second and third installments of the drama series, and Levinson, who writes and directs every episode, was ready for his show to grow up — and to evolve as a storyteller right alongside it.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
Michael Leavy, who oversaw the first film, directs.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 1 June 2026
Lloyd directs the Tim Rice-Andrew Lloyd Webber revival, which received two Olivier Awards (including Best Actress in a Musical for Zegler) for the 2025 staging.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 May 2026
Joey Garrison, USA Today, 3 June 2026
For Washington, having a say in who directs — and in many other aspects of filmmaking that have more to do with what goes on behind the camera than in front of it — has made producing a priority.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 2 June 2026
The plan directs City Manager Mario Vasquez to negotiate with team officials and other government agencies to hammer out a deal that will determine how much the city will provide.
—Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026
The order also directs the attorney general to prioritize prosecuting crimes involving AI, with a particular focus on cybercrimes.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 2 June 2026
Martinez directs much credit to pitching coach Kyle Snyder and those who labor over pitching charts and the like.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Delays in production led to a four-year gap between the second and third installments of the drama series, and Levinson, who writes and directs every episode, was ready for his show to grow up — and to evolve as a storyteller right alongside it.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
Michael Leavy, who oversaw the first film, directs.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 1 June 2026
Lloyd directs the Tim Rice-Andrew Lloyd Webber revival, which received two Olivier Awards (including Best Actress in a Musical for Zegler) for the 2025 staging.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs
Verb
-
Freeland agreed with McCarthy’s take that Rumfield conducts himself like a veteran, not a rookie.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
-
The extensive damage to the pad was particularly jarring, said Casey Dreier, chief of space policy for The Planetary Society, a nonprofit organization that conducts research and advocacy to promote space exploration.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
This portion instructs Claude to be attentive to the well-being of users.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
When the external environment reaches above 25 degrees Celsius, or 77 degrees Fahrenheit, the brain’s hypothalamus instructs the glands to release sweat.—
Sophia Dyer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 May 2026
Verb
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So the Devil orders the father to cut off his daughter’s offending hands.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
If the other person orders you to bring them a lemonade, don’t do it.—
Attia Qureshi,
Time,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Milshtein previously served as adviser to COGAT, which supervises civilian policy in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
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As chief of patrol, Hein supervises the most visible aspects of the Police Department that define its image in the minds of most Chicagoans, including emergency response, crisis intervention, traffic control, routine patrol and community policing efforts.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The new act aims to address overdependence on third countries for chip design and manufacturing and insufficient preparedness for crises, a proposal for the regulation said.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
Mu’s annual play-reading festival began more than three decades ago and aims to lower barriers and provide resources for Asian American playwrights to land works on stage.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Those kinds of partnerships, where Delta steers customers to a brand and gets a cut of the business, explain why the airline chose Amazon over Starlink as the provider for its in-flight services, to Elon Musk’s highly vocal irritation.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
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Today’s audiences look for a more personalized movie experience that festivals can provide, which also steers them in the direction of repertory cinema.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Mesh ballet flats are quietly becoming the shoe of summer, and this pair channels the same open and airy look Gomez wore.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
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Take a retired superintendent in my neighborhood who channels decades of leadership into community impact — serving on a childcare center board, leading a children's choir, and volunteering at a local health program.—
Esther K. Choy,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The table tells a harsher story.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
Titanic Sinks Tonight tells the story of the final hours of the most famous sea disaster of all time.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directs. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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