1
as in instruction
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned
we were given very specific directions for the first part of the exam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in management
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something
working under the close direction of the engineering supervisor
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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
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Recent Examples of direction
Climate goals are off target Delegates to COP30 are facing a world that, by many climate measures, is going in the wrong direction.
—
Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2025
More broadly, 61% of survey respondents said the country was moving in the wrong direction, marking a 7-point increase since the pollsters last asked the question in March.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
On a separate note, if a major goal that was in reach suddenly spirals off into a new direction, do your best to trust the process.
—Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Even before his left elbow went in a direction no elbows should venture, Jayden Daniels’ sophomore NFL season was a big letdown.
—Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for direction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direction
Noun
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The young Malinin skated by himself, uninterested in instruction.—
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Careful use of pesticides, following all label instructions.—
Noun
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First selected as a 20-year-old for the white-ball series against Australia in 2024, his introduction into the England environment was love at first sight for all the management involved.—
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Austin chef David Bull opened the restaurant at the Crazy Water Hotel in Mineral Wells before that hotel changed management.—
Noun
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The next year, McDermott navigated more with his own compass and the Bills went 10-6.—
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How mortgage rates move the rest of the year will vary, but experts also caution against viewing economic signals as a compass for your decisions.—
Noun
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The pants are loose from the thighs to the hems, giving you room to move while still keeping the shape on-trend.—
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Why Shop With Us Alison Syrett Cleary is an editor and writer with over 10 years of experience covering fashion trends.—
Noun
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The company was also working with Transport for London on a double-decker electric bus, but the agency has yet to place an order.—
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Cureate does not warehouse or distribute food products, the company buys purchases the food order and the farmer delivers it to the customer, Bryden said.—
Noun
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Baltimore’s consent decree similarly identified major deficiencies in training, including outdated curricula, inconsistent instruction, and inadequate field supervision.—
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Factors like population density, consistent consumer demand, access to kosher supervision, supply chains, and real estate all play a role.—
Noun
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Greenland was incorporated into Denmark in 1953, as a tide of decolonization swept the globe following World War II.—
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More than a year after it was completed, the Smith Canal Gate was closed Monday because water levels rose to 8 feet, along with some other factors, including rising king tides and precipitation, according to Darren Suen, San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency executive director.—
Noun
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Trump’s edict was light on details — and the shares pared those losses in later trading — but the message was sent.—
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The Gospel of Matthew, McGowan said, recounts how King Herod – upon learning that a child born in Bethlehem was destined to one day take his throne – issued an edict for all male children in the city to be executed.—
Cite this Entry
“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direction. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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