DIRECTS Synonyms: 131 Similar and Opposite Words

directs

verb

present tense third-person singular of direct

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in supervises

to look after and make decisions about the music teacher directs both the student orchestra and the marching band

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 Two panels along the upper and lower body of the Hubble can also be removed to expose the mirrors, as well as the central baffle that directs the light from stars and galaxies to the observatory’s instruments and primary mirror. — Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026 Hayato Kawai, whose credits include Disney+ series Gannibal, also directs. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026 But the law, which directs providers and insurers to settle payment disputes between themselves, has created a new problem. — Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026 Commissioners move forward with data center moratorium The motion approved by commissioners directs staff to research and prepare a moratorium on data centers. — Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 Philip Gehrman is a psychologist and professor who directs the Sleep Neurobiology and Psychopathology lab at the University of Pennsylvania. — Joan M. Cook, Time, 31 July 2026 Safdie directs and wrote the script, which is based on the Daniel Pinkwater novel of the same name. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 31 July 2026 City repairs Last week, the City Council approved an ordinance that directs City Manager Mario Vasquez to address issues at the apartment buildings. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026 Instead, the site directs families to get information from their own doctor, the state of Massachusetts, or nongovernmental medical organizations including the AAP. — Karen Brown, NPR, 30 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs

Verb

The company conducts saliva testing for professional sports teams, providing analysis on dozens of biomarkers that touch immunology, inflammation, sleep, hydration, psychological stress and more.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 10 Aug. 2026
The bureau conducts its own investigation each time an agent fires a weapon.

— Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of conducts

Verb

The King imprisons the miller’s daughter in a room and orders her to prove her magical ability under pain of death.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026
Diagnosis usually starts with a primary care referral to a sleep doctor, who reviews your sleep history and orders a sleep study either in a lab or at home.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of orders

Verb

The State Board of Education supervises public K–12 education across the state, overseeing educational interests in Kansas.

— Zuri Primos July 26, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
David Smith, who supervises the district’s aedes crew, said his team has received an increasing number of service requests for day-biting mosquitoes within the neighborhood.

— Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of supervises

Verb

The Houthis say closing Bab el-Mandeb to Saudi traffic aims to break the coalition’s blockade.

— Fatma Khaled, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
This initiative aims to provide crucial financial support to young farmers, offering grants between $10,000 and $50,000 to those under 40 practicing organic and regenerative methods.

— Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of aims

Verb

She’s given away that sum of money in just a matter of a few years, which steers heavily away from how billionaires usually give away their fortunes.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
Director David Arisco steers three strong performances and spot on technical elements through Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon’s behind-the-scenes comedy.

— Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

Definition of steers

Verb

First, a low-voltage DC generator runs a high-voltage AC inverter, which then channels current through a transformer and finally a voltage multiplier.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 July 2026
This guest channels major Euro-Summer energy with a linen blouse, relaxed pants, and a coordinating headscarf.

— Amanda Le, InStyle, 21 July 2026