1
as in channeled
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 instructed
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 ordered
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 supervised
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 aimed
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 steered
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 directed
Even as zoos have drawn some criticism, Nik Dehejia, the zoo's CEO, said more time and resources are now being directed toward animals like Crimson and others that would not survive on their own.
—
Itay Hod, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
The School Board directed Hepburn to cut 1,000 jobs for per for the next three years.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
As previously reported, Flying Lotus has directed and scored the upcoming film Ash, a science-fiction horror starring Eiza González and Aaron Paul.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 11 Mar. 2025
After California directed its public employees to work from home to limit the spread of COVID-19, the state paid those public servants stipends beginning October 2021 to help cover expenses workers needed to do their jobs remotely, such as the internet.
—William Melhado, Sacramento Bee, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directed
Itay Hod, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
The School Board directed Hepburn to cut 1,000 jobs for per for the next three years.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
As previously reported, Flying Lotus has directed and scored the upcoming film Ash, a science-fiction horror starring Eiza González and Aaron Paul.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 11 Mar. 2025
After California directed its public employees to work from home to limit the spread of COVID-19, the state paid those public servants stipends beginning October 2021 to help cover expenses workers needed to do their jobs remotely, such as the internet.
—William Melhado, Sacramento Bee, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directed
Verb
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What’s less traditional is the profuse hybrid output, channeled through four drive modes—EV, Sport, Sport+, and Race.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Streep, 76, channeled Miranda Priestly by wearing a statement-making red cape coat from Givenchy by Sarah Burton's Fall 2026 collection, accessorized with black leather opera gloves, black Stuart Weitzman shoes, sparkling David Yurman jewelry and large black oversized glasses.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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He was instructed to respond by moving his eyes from left to right, and sure enough, the researchers counted two rightward movements of his eyes.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
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Gun smoke filled the air over the South Lawn after a 21 gun salute and hung in the air as those with seats near the front of the ceremony were instructed to sit down.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In March 2026, a judge ordered the camp to preserve damaged areas of the camp's grounds as evidence in the lawsuits filed by the families of the victims.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Talley was ordered to be detained on Monday during a court hearing and was remanded to the Cook County Department of Corrections.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At Surfside, the different beach areas are cleaned daily and supervised by lifeguards.—
Kara Williams,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
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Alvarez could face up to 20 years in prison, supervised release of at least five years to a lifetime, and a fine of up to $250,000.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In a move that human rights activists say was aimed at avoiding accountability, Duterte, who was president at the time, announced a month later that the Philippines would leave the court.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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As questions about transparency and cronyism swirl, Huntington Beach leaders are divided over the handling of a brand management and marketing contract aimed at revamping the city’s merchandising and licensing systems.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In terms of the modern era, though, Forest are rookies at this level, as this is their first season with continental football since Frank Clark — one of the club’s Miracle Men — steered them to the UEFA Cup quarter-finals in 1996.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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Two of the Bumblebee drones were being steered to collide with the third, as part of the soldiers' initial training for the kind of drone-on-drone combat that's been taking place for months on the battlefield in Ukraine.—
Eleanor Watson,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Working with local police, the Secret Service conducted site reviews of the sprawling complex and established a security perimeter to prevent suspicious individuals from approaching the president and other VIP attendees.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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The Ravens conducted a protracted search, hiring Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter — one of Harbaugh’s former assistants — as the franchise’s fourth head coach.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Murmurs of possible tactics abound—including more talk within the administration of the DPA after Anthropic’s Mythos announcement, one person with knowledge of such discussions told us.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
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The story of the site, which was subsequently bought by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp in 2005, is told in MySpace, a documentary directed by Tommy Avallone and produced by Gunpowder & Sky, the company founded by former MTV boss Van Toffler.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directed. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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