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
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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
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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
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4
as in supervised
to look after and make decisions about
the music teacher directs both the student orchestra and the marching band
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of directed
The officer directed both men to exit the SUV as his backup arrived.
—
Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
The winner of the third-place game was guaranteed an additional $300,000 in prize money, which was directed to the players in NIL money.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
And though some male musicians, like the British rocker Yungblud or the R&B singer 4batz, have faced industry plant accusations, anyone paying attention can see that this term is mostly directed at female musicians.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2026
Gerard Damiano was a smart guy, a hairdresser from the Bronx who directed Deep Throat and the follow-up, Devil in Miss Jones, which were killing it at the box office, high up on Variety’s Top 50 list of the highestgrossing films.
—Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directed
Verb
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That blueprint must become real commitments to replenish adaptation and loss-and-damage funds, move beyond the Glasgow pledge to double adaptation finance by 2025, and work toward tripling by 2030, channelled directly to farmers, mayors, engineers, and innovators.—
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Brooks Nader Brooks Nader channeled old school glamour in her red gown.—
Verb
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On Friday, after Chew instructed jurors on how to evaluate opening statements, Baker presented surveillance footage from Building 10, Stanford’s executive offices.—
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According to an internal directive, National Park Service employees at some of the nation’s most popular parks are now instructed to ask visitors questions about their citizenship status.—
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Questions about education funding Amid the state’s revenue shortfall, Little in August ordered state agencies other than public schools to cut spending by 3%.—
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Cashier Sandra Cornejo said the suspect ordered Oreo ice cream before pulling out a knife and demanding money.—
Verb
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Taking calcium and vitamin D together is generally safe and helps support bone health when supervised by a doctor.—
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He will be supervised for five years, in line with his six-year 2023 sentence.—
Verb
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Boatyard was founded in 2001 by Dick Franyo, who grew up on the Chesapeake Bay and aimed to celebrate the Bay's culture through his establishment.—
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Over the past few years, China has conducted numerous exercises aimed at demonstrating its ability to operate around the island, including large-scale multi-service war games that involve land, air, naval, and rocket forces.—
Verb
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Playboy is, of course, the media, lifestyle, consumer products and licensing brand founded by Hugh Hefner, while Hefner Capital is a private investment firm focused on media, entertainment and cultural ventures steered by his son, Cooper Hefner.—
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After a pioneering run building a major pay-TV player in Dish, Ergen steered the company through its recent pivot to the wireless business before stepping back from a day-to-day exec role last year.—
Verb
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Between 2022 and 2023, a team from Arkeologerna conducted an intensive investigation in the southernmost area of the former city.—
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What wasn't being collected are other research observations that are part of every hurricane season, including experiments conducted by NOAA's Hurricane Research Division and its academic partners, who were able to pay their scientists who flew with NOAA during Melissa.—
Verb
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But law enforcement experts told CNN the dragging incident last summer could have affected his decision-making – though how such an experience impacts law enforcement varies from officer to officer.—
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Chew told jurors that neither the Cryptpad documents nor the prosecution’s surveillance videos shown during Baker’s opening could be considered evidence during opening statements.—
Cite this Entry
“Directed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directed. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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