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 directs the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to police price gouging while FoodShare benefits are depleted.
—
Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
The Hillside Strangler is executive produced by IPC’s Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman; Tim Walsh, who exec produced Night Stalker; and Peter LoGreco, who also directs and serves as showrunner.
—Peter White, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
After getting her own spin with him, Maia grabs Tallulah’s phone and directs her into the limelight instead.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
The Republican's order directs state agencies to work with the federal contractor responsible for loading Electronic Benefit Transfer cards to ensure Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are distributed weekly, his office said.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2025
From industry sources, Fortune estimates that at an annual run rate, the three directs areas combined—the traditional variety, CVs, and co-invests—are raising well over $5 billion a year.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2025
As a result, a majority of Adams' votes have gone to Cuomo, said David Paleologos, who directs Suffolk's Political Research Center and led the new NYC mayor's poll, told USA TODAY.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Stephen Unwin directs this production, with design by Bunny Christie and translation by Anthony Vivis.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
Silva also directs and will write the show alongside Roncken.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
The Hillside Strangler is executive produced by IPC’s Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman; Tim Walsh, who exec produced Night Stalker; and Peter LoGreco, who also directs and serves as showrunner.
—Peter White, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
After getting her own spin with him, Maia grabs Tallulah’s phone and directs her into the limelight instead.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
The Republican's order directs state agencies to work with the federal contractor responsible for loading Electronic Benefit Transfer cards to ensure Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are distributed weekly, his office said.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2025
From industry sources, Fortune estimates that at an annual run rate, the three directs areas combined—the traditional variety, CVs, and co-invests—are raising well over $5 billion a year.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2025
As a result, a majority of Adams' votes have gone to Cuomo, said David Paleologos, who directs Suffolk's Political Research Center and led the new NYC mayor's poll, told USA TODAY.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Stephen Unwin directs this production, with design by Bunny Christie and translation by Anthony Vivis.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
Silva also directs and will write the show alongside Roncken.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs
Verb
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Helpstay says its founder personally reviews every host on its platform, while WWOOF conducts ID checks and requests photos of the areas where volunteers will eat and sleep.—
Georgiana Ralphs,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
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Much scholarly attention is also paid to the science of electrical storage, enabling a body to function as a permanently recharged battery, and to the use of an enormous lightning-rod mechanism, which will harness lightning from atop an isolated tower, where Victor conducts his experiments.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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He is whisked away from a charity basketball event to his Air Force One, where Lieutenant Commander Robert Reeves (Jonah Hauer-King) hands him the Black Bag and instructs him to choose which retaliatory strike option to approve.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Oct. 2025
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Cameron and Sullivan find Jones, and Sullivan instructs Cameron to bring him back to the medic truck.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Everyone who orders one from October 27 to October 31 will also earn a $5 reward for their next visit.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
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The crew at Fireman Derek’s is cooking around the clock to pump out sweets for its three storefronts, plus Goldbelly orders that ship nationwide.—
Nila Do Simon,
Southern Living,
22 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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Among VenApp users who support the government’s aims is a resident of a slum on the outskirts of Caracas who spoke anonymously, fearing government retaliation for speaking to a foreign journalist and retribution from neighbors who oppose Maduro.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
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Pivotal recall election on ballot in Mesa Voters in parts of Mesa will decide a historic recall election that aims to remove a sitting council member in favor of a political newcomer.—
Stephanie Innes,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The vibe definitely steers more toward homey than hotel, which is fitting considering its remote, spectacular location.—
Chadner Navarro,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
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The plot unfolds at the urgent but erratic pace of a life-altering business deal, as Bonitzer unfussily steers us through a series of small rooms as people scramble to determine the proper thing to do with Schiele’s painting.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Google countered Disney in its response, calling on Disney to allow ABC and ESPN channels to return to YouTube TV while negotiations on the fees for the full suite of channels continue.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
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In their sophomore feature, burgeoning auteur Jane Schoenbrun channels everything from Méliès to Lynch, from Buffy to Donnie Darko, to set a mood that's both nostalgic and menacing.—
Dennis Perkins,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The influencer, 26, graduated from nursing school in August 2024, and soon after, the high school sweethearts bought a house in Michigan, ending the long-distance aspect of their relationship, Adams tells PEOPLE exclusively.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
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That film tells the true story of an Istituto Luce cameraman who filmed Mussolini and fascist propaganda, and, eventually, the head of communist Albania.—
Will Tizard,
Variety,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directs. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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