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
After an employee directs Claude Tag to complete a task, the bot will break that down into stages and work through them independently—delivering the final result to a team via Slack.
—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Within the existing parking garage, the airport has installed and is calibrating a parking guidance system that directs drivers to available spaces using digital arrows mounted on the ceiling.
—
Sacbee.com,
22 June 2026
Banks-Davies directs the first block of episodes for season 2, which is currently in pre-production.
—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
22 June 2026
George, Tre Johnson and others should receive more wide-open 3-point looks when Young directs the offense, and Sarr and Davis should feast on lobs from Young in pick-and-rolls.
—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
22 June 2026
Elliot Dear co-directs the cartoon.
—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
22 June 2026
The measure, passed with the help of Democrats, directs federal immigration enforcement to detain and deport those without legal status charged with minor theft or shoplifting, assault of a law enforcement officer, or crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury of another person.
—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
20 June 2026
Mark Mylod exec produces and directs multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros.
—
K.j. Yossman,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Atlanta and Parks and Recreation Hiro Murai directs five of this first season’s ten episodes, including the first three, which establish a careful balance between horror and comedy.
—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Within the existing parking garage, the airport has installed and is calibrating a parking guidance system that directs drivers to available spaces using digital arrows mounted on the ceiling.
—
Sacbee.com,
22 June 2026
Banks-Davies directs the first block of episodes for season 2, which is currently in pre-production.
—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
22 June 2026
George, Tre Johnson and others should receive more wide-open 3-point looks when Young directs the offense, and Sarr and Davis should feast on lobs from Young in pick-and-rolls.
—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
22 June 2026
Elliot Dear co-directs the cartoon.
—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
22 June 2026
The measure, passed with the help of Democrats, directs federal immigration enforcement to detain and deport those without legal status charged with minor theft or shoplifting, assault of a law enforcement officer, or crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury of another person.
—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
20 June 2026
Mark Mylod exec produces and directs multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros.
—
K.j. Yossman,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Atlanta and Parks and Recreation Hiro Murai directs five of this first season’s ten episodes, including the first three, which establish a careful balance between horror and comedy.
—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs
Verb
-
The officer who fired their weapon has been placed on administrative leave as the state law enforcement agency conducts its investigation, per standard protocol.
-
When a tech company conducts an internal safety review, the primary audience is often its board of directors, its investors and its public relations team.
Verb
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When Little John struggles to describe his dream girl, Robin instructs his protegee to sketch an image with words.
-
The resolution by Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins instructs Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to pursue clawing back money from the Host Committee if the county can determine federal dollars are now paying for expenses that Miami-Dade agreed to cover with its $21 million allocation.
Verb
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Corlys orders his men to thread the rocky Dragonstone pass at low tide, even relieving the helmsman of the ship’s wheel at the crucial moment.
-
Agent Greer orders him to drop the weapon.
Verb
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Milshtein previously served as adviser to COGAT, which supervises civilian policy in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.
-
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.
Verb
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That's significant because the nonprofit aims to reduce the stigma of mental health disorders, especially among Asian American families.
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As Europe seeks to expand its position in advanced semiconductor technologies, the new partnership aims to create a production environment capable of supporting both startups and established companies working on photonic chip innovations.
Verb
-
The system accelerates, brakes and steers the vehicle in the lane.
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Smoked paprika, six cloves of garlic, fresh mint, and lemon juice create a smoky, citrusy, bright flavor combo that steers ordinary chicken breast into decidedly unexpected territory.
Verb
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This guest channels major Chloé energy by styling belted, muted pink jeans with a romantic yet structured ruffled blouse, platform clogs, round sunnies, and a top-handle bag.
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Through a dual-timeline structure, Ward channels her profound grief into a searing indictment of American society.
Verb
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This is how a San Diegan tells time, but yes.
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Based on photos and videos from Venezuela, the damage appears to be quite extensive, reporter John Otis tells Up First.
Cite this Entry
“Directs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directs. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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