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
Finally, the measure also directs funds to a limited-income program that caps monthly bills for vulnerable residents.
—
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Story directs from a screenplay by Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, Kevin Burrows, and Matt Mider.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 11 May 2026
Fry executive produces with William Harper and Paul McGuigan, who also directs.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 11 May 2026
Steph Green directs and executive produces all episodes.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 11 May 2026
Neither did Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi, a Wichita Republican who directs the flow of legislation in the chamber.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Co-written by its star Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian, who directs, the play dramatizes the real-life violence of Ken McElroy, a man who terrorized a small town for years in rural Missouri.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Michael Showalter, who previously worked with Hathaway on The Idea of You, directs with Nick Antosca writing the script following the previous work of scribes Hillary Seitz, Angela LaManna and the team of Will Honley and April Maguire.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
Part of the agenda item at next week’s meeting also directs the general counsel to develop policies regarding the use of the district’s name and/or logo.
—Natalie La Roche Pietri, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Story directs from a screenplay by Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, Kevin Burrows, and Matt Mider.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 11 May 2026
Fry executive produces with William Harper and Paul McGuigan, who also directs.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 11 May 2026
Steph Green directs and executive produces all episodes.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 11 May 2026
Neither did Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi, a Wichita Republican who directs the flow of legislation in the chamber.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Co-written by its star Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian, who directs, the play dramatizes the real-life violence of Ken McElroy, a man who terrorized a small town for years in rural Missouri.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Michael Showalter, who previously worked with Hathaway on The Idea of You, directs with Nick Antosca writing the script following the previous work of scribes Hillary Seitz, Angela LaManna and the team of Will Honley and April Maguire.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
Part of the agenda item at next week’s meeting also directs the general counsel to develop policies regarding the use of the district’s name and/or logo.
—Natalie La Roche Pietri, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directs
Verb
-
Wendy Saladyga, a fabric care expert at Henkel, conducts technical research to test detergent efficacy against different stains on various fabrics and materials.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
15 May 2026
-
To meet expectations in a fast-growing region, Mecklenburg County conducts a revaluation every four years.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The bill instructs the Office of Cannabis Management to seek those funds.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
The website instructs guests not to go to the airport, confirming that the airline carrier has officially shut down and all flights are cancelled.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was always expected to live a quiet life — but she’s sent on an entirely different path when her mother, a general in the military, orders her to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become dragon riders, the elite of Navarre.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
11 May 2026
-
The story centers on Violet Sorrengail, whose plans for a quiet life are upended when her mother, a military general, orders her to join the brutal Basgiath War College and become one of several hundred candidates vying to become dragon riders.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Major Kevin Corbett, who works for the BSO’s detention department, testified that the rapper is kept in a 30-cell unit by himself and an emergency-response team — dressed in tactical attire — supervises him 24 hours a day.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
-
The Chinese government officially recognizes five religions — Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Protestantism and Islam — and tightly supervises them.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The 4,305-square-foot location nestled in Via Signorelli — a 10-minute walk from the city’s ADI Design Museum — aims to house all the activities of the firm under one roof, as the company has pivoted its business following investment from Gyrus Capital last year.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
-
Through an array of educational programming, events and activities for both children and adults, the Garden aims to create, share and apply plant wisdom to the world, according to the news release.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Gomez has been outspoken about the tactics of her colleague Carr, who steers the agency and influences the direction of the FCC’s regulatory Media Bureau.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Bukayo Saka steers Arsenal in-front vs Atletico!—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Don’t let the luxury trappings distract you from Charlie Mitchell’s audacious tasting menu, which channels soul-food maximalism through Japanese minimalism.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
The Coastview model, with 1,602 square feet under air, channels a coastal vibe with shades of blue, blue-gray and taupe.—
Pulte Homes,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
In it, Martin, who is curating the show, tells Elmo of the significance of the performance — and gets some help choosing the performers.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
-
Turner tells him the story is already filed with the press.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directs. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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