1
as in channeling
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 instructing
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 ordering
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 supervising
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 aiming
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 guiding
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
as in overseeing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in commanding
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of directing
Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
The acting didn’t bother me, but the directing did.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Phil Collinson also produces, with Hoar directing and Andy Pryor headingup casting.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Under the Nine Lives banner, Davis is producing Amazon MGM Studios’ Untitled Cyrano film with Michael Showalter directing and the upcoming film Fake Wedding starring Lili Reinhart for Amazon MGM Studios, written by Ali & Anthony Garland.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
That’s in case Pakula’s jumpy directing and hushed performances by Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland aren’t clear enough.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025
Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio Winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, Guillermo del Toro reimagines the classic story of Pinocchio through a modern lens, in conjunction with his signature directing style.
—Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
At the same time, Telefilm is directing funding into training and boot camps for indigenous filmmakers to future-proof their careers.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
What did making this teach you about the actual act of directing?
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
Guests are seen running, screaming and directing the child towards a nearby building.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The threat comes as Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson simultaneously signed an executive order directing city agencies to resist federal immigration enforcement operations, setting up a confrontation between local and federal authorities.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Aug. 2025
By deploying funds with transparency and directing them to follow students rather than institutions, states could save taxpayers money and revitalize communities—while dramatically improving outcomes for children.
—Jeanne Allen, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
For the past two years, Kat Yen has served as La Jolla Playhouse’s inaugural directing fellow.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
None of this is to say that Lee’s writing or directing is hard to follow.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
The acting didn’t bother me, but the directing did.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Phil Collinson also produces, with Hoar directing and Andy Pryor headingup casting.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Under the Nine Lives banner, Davis is producing Amazon MGM Studios’ Untitled Cyrano film with Michael Showalter directing and the upcoming film Fake Wedding starring Lili Reinhart for Amazon MGM Studios, written by Ali & Anthony Garland.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
That’s in case Pakula’s jumpy directing and hushed performances by Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland aren’t clear enough.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
Good Fortune marks Ansari's feature directorial debut, following the shelving of his prior attempt at a first-time directing gig.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio Winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, Guillermo del Toro reimagines the classic story of Pinocchio through a modern lens, in conjunction with his signature directing style.
—Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
At the same time, Telefilm is directing funding into training and boot camps for indigenous filmmakers to future-proof their careers.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
What did making this teach you about the actual act of directing?
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
Guests are seen running, screaming and directing the child towards a nearby building.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The threat comes as Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson simultaneously signed an executive order directing city agencies to resist federal immigration enforcement operations, setting up a confrontation between local and federal authorities.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Aug. 2025
By deploying funds with transparency and directing them to follow students rather than institutions, states could save taxpayers money and revitalize communities—while dramatically improving outcomes for children.
—Jeanne Allen, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
For the past two years, Kat Yen has served as La Jolla Playhouse’s inaugural directing fellow.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directing
Verb
-
For those feeling especially upset over this video, Anderson recommends examining those feelings and channeling them in healthy, productive ways.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The 5-foot-10 actor of Training Day and Before Sunset was tasked with channeling a man many said was barely 5 feet tall with waning hair.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Waving a magic wand and instructing a client to avoid AI at all costs, well, that could be a costly endeavor to the person and potentially a near impossibility.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The governor said that her administration has issued a bulletin to the state’s health insurers instructing them to continue to provide insurance coverage for vaccines recommended by the Department of Public Health and not just those approved by the CDC.—
Matthew Medsger,
Boston Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Back in January, the President marked his return to the White House by issuing a series of name changes, introducing the Gulf of America and ordering that Denali once again be called Mount McKinley.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The Sacramento raid was conducted within days of an order by a federal judge in Southern California ordering the agency to stop similar activity in that region, the motion said.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As the film starts, Maria is first met supervising a class trip to the local cider factory owned by local burgher Frank (Sean Gilder), whose daughter Pauline (Nia Brown) is in Maria’s class.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Talent shifts from large sets of tier-1 agents to a smaller set of specialists focused on supervising, handling escalations, training, and improving AI systems.—
Sanjay Srivastava,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
However, Valadao has a strong local following, and this new seat would be the most politically tenuous among those Democrats are aiming to flip.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, Langley, who has plays a key role in guiding the franchise as NBCUniversal Studio Group and Chief Content Officer, said part of the success of the long-running series has been its adaptability.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Gia Love, who first started the cookout five years ago in Bed-Stuy’s Herbert Von King Park, continues to be a guiding force behind the day’s celebrations.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Christoph Waltz, already a two-time winner, delivers another commanding turn in his brief screen time.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Polling gives Blackburn a commanding lead, 68% to Rose’s 14% according to the Beacon Center.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With the Luxury Tax system, clubs over a particular threshold, as well as in multiple years, and by how much, have created penalties paid by these clubs that now see a larger percentage of them funneling back to the clubs as a form of revenue sharing.—
Maury Brown,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
From atop the Gate of Heavenly Peace in Beijing, Xi presided over a 70-minute parade to mark the end of World War II – flanked by a strongman waging Europe’s bloodiest conflict since 1945 and an Asian leader funneling him troops and weapons.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directing. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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