Definition of directionnext
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as in compass
a guiding or motivating purpose or principle a life that seemed to lack any direction other than the mindless pursuit of empty pleasures

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in trend
a prevailing or general movement or inclination some older people worry about the overall direction that political discourse has taken lately

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 direction Transportation officials said delays in the northbound direction stretched up to an hour as of Saturday afternoon, with a roughly two-mile stretch taking drivers far longer than usual to navigate. Da Lin, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026 That was a huge move in the right direction that saved millions of people and different species. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026 That is a notable affirmation of local land-use authority — notable because, for at least the past decade, the Legislature has steadily moved in the opposite direction. Haley Busch, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026 Swim in a direction following the shoreline. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for direction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direction
Noun
  • Gukesh’s calm at the board was buttressed by an unusual focus in his training, on psychology, alongside the more traditional tactical and strategic instruction.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Start with a fertilizer program of once in March, May and October using an 8-0-12-4Mg for palms developed by the University of Florida following label instructions.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • John McCann, the incumbent mayor of Chula Vista who owns a real estate and property management company, is seeking another term in office, running on a record of economic development, public safety and neighborhood investment.
    Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • County officials said the move was intended to create a more centralized and accountable system, following audits that raised concerns about LAHSA’s financial management.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Values act as both a compass and a driving force, pointing you toward the right goals and motivating you to pursue them.
    Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Alignment lasers and the ship’s gyro-compass ensured the rotors were plumb and correctly oriented.
    Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Chandeliers are Timeless Trendy statement lights tend to have a short shelf life, and the French often embrace interior design trends through accessories like art rather than fixtures.
    Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Now, local leaders and realtors are hoping that outreach and education for potential Black buyers could be the key to reversing the trend.
    Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Crews made fast work of a 10-acre fire that erupted in brush in the vicinity of the SoCal Sports complex and Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, briefly prompting an order that people in the area shelter in place Friday.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
  • About a decade ago the artist Paul Chan (no relation) began affixing fans to the bases of humanoid sculptures, made from cylindrical nylon tubes, in order to animate them.
    Dawn Chan, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The group says Ensign misled courts, disobeyed court orders and failed to intervene when lawyers under his supervision engaged in misconduct.
    Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
  • His fingerprints are all over the modern sport — from the development and implementation of the Next Gen car, to the supervision of going to new tracks (and revitalizing old ones) and more.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The landmark Meta trial ruling last month signaled a shift in the tide.
    Larz May, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Timing your visit around the tides gives you two completely different — and equally memorable — experiences.
    Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • While many edicts are necessary to protect public safety, many more are redundant, wasteful and anti-competitive, piling on unnecessary costs and stymieing innovation.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
  • But that edict died with him, Vaez said.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direction. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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