as in overseeing
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Dissimilar Words
as in commanding
Related Words
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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of directing
Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Ryan Gosling will no longer star in the next film from the Oscar-winning directing duo Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Variety has confirmed.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
Alongside directing, Laxe also co-wrote the screenplay with Santiago Fillol.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
Students take daily classes in music, acting, directing and dance.
—Jessie Dax-Setkus, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Paul Thomas Anderson, who won for producing, directing, and writing One Battle After Another, was sitting on 14 career nominations without a win going into the ceremony.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Aperture’s Goldworm is producing Hannibal at Netflix with Denzel Washington attached to star and Antoine Fuqua directing and Alpha at Netflix with Taron Egerton starring.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
The deputy chief directs area commanders in planning, organizing, directing, controlling and evaluating all investigative efforts under their geographic area of responsibility.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated February 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Decades of city life had calcified the tension in my bones, the chatter in my mind directing me to do more, buy more, and be more.
—Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
Families of everyone on the bus were contacted, and the district was directing them to the reunification point at a church in Huntingdon, Tennessee.
—Kenya Anderson, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
The Chico State allegations were covered by the Chico Enterprise-Record, which reported in 2006 that players accused Goodenbour of degrading them and directing obscenities at them.
—Julia Haney, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
Chan Sunga said that means listening to the community and directing funding toward programs that support youth and families early, rather than reacting after crimes occur.
—Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Warsh will also likely play a role in directing the 12 district banks about whom to nominate when sitting presidents leave or retire.
—Steve Liesman,matt Peterson, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Dance was caught on camera directing officers on where to throw munitions, for example.
—Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
Once again, Hanks wrote the script and stars, with Aaron Schneider directing for Apple Original Films.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
The controversy may have negatively impacted Best Actor Oscar chances for his performance in Josh Safdie’s solo directing effort, Marty Supreme.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Ryan Gosling will no longer star in the next film from the Oscar-winning directing duo Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Variety has confirmed.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
Alongside directing, Laxe also co-wrote the screenplay with Santiago Fillol.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
Students take daily classes in music, acting, directing and dance.
—Jessie Dax-Setkus, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Paul Thomas Anderson, who won for producing, directing, and writing One Battle After Another, was sitting on 14 career nominations without a win going into the ceremony.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Aperture’s Goldworm is producing Hannibal at Netflix with Denzel Washington attached to star and Antoine Fuqua directing and Alpha at Netflix with Taron Egerton starring.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
The deputy chief directs area commanders in planning, organizing, directing, controlling and evaluating all investigative efforts under their geographic area of responsibility.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated February 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
Because this is an actor who’s directing, and he’s never directed before.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Decades of city life had calcified the tension in my bones, the chatter in my mind directing me to do more, buy more, and be more.
—Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
Families of everyone on the bus were contacted, and the district was directing them to the reunification point at a church in Huntingdon, Tennessee.
—Kenya Anderson, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
The Chico State allegations were covered by the Chico Enterprise-Record, which reported in 2006 that players accused Goodenbour of degrading them and directing obscenities at them.
—Julia Haney, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
Chan Sunga said that means listening to the community and directing funding toward programs that support youth and families early, rather than reacting after crimes occur.
—Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Warsh will also likely play a role in directing the 12 district banks about whom to nominate when sitting presidents leave or retire.
—Steve Liesman,matt Peterson, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Dance was caught on camera directing officers on where to throw munitions, for example.
—Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
Once again, Hanks wrote the script and stars, with Aaron Schneider directing for Apple Original Films.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directing
Noun
-
The strike was a culmination of a dominant first 30 minutes from Summit FC, which held long, commanding spells of possession to set the tone.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
21 Mar. 2026
-
As with Casemiro, the 33-year-old defender’s contract is set to expire at the end of June, but this was another commanding display to strengthen his hand in talks over a new one, albeit potentially on reduced terms.—
Mark Critchley,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
All in all, channeling their inner Ian Curtis looks good on the duo.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The Frisco Wakeland girls soccer team is channeling grief into purpose this season, honoring their teammate after her tragic death while making a powerful run at another state title.—
Johnny Resendiz,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
According to MySA, signs appeared at certain Buc-ee’s fuel pumps instructing customers using a credit or debit card to pay at the pump.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Mar. 2026
-
That sense of normalcy largely held until Wednesday evening, when emergency alerts began chiming on phones across Riyadh, warning residents of an aerial threat and instructing them to remain indoors and away from windows.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This film is about the government ordering the elderly to relocate to distant housing colonies to maximize economic productivity.—
Adam Bell
April 2,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The case is a rare example of a judge ordering a person’s return to the United States after being deported, said Talia Inlender, deputy director of the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at the UCLA School of Law.—
Sophie Austin,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Athletic coaches, people responding to emergencies, people supervising inmates, custodians, and people helping children who need bathroom assistance get a pass.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The transit operator has been accused in the past of not properly supervising contract security personnel who occasionally used excessive force.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Fighting Illini are aiming to clinch its first Final Four berth since 2005.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Detroit Free Press Staff,
Freep.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
More than a saying, pura vida is a guiding philosophy that honors simplicity and sustainability, and celebrates the deep-rooted connection between people and their environment.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Pluto is in your supportive 4th house, guiding conversations with housemates or relatives about necessary shifts.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The structure also includes equity from several French partners and an additional contribution from Carbios, which will leave the company as a minority, non-controlling shareholder.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
New Delhi on Tuesday relaxed rules for investments from countries sharing a land border with India, allowing automatic approval for non-controlling ownership of up to 10%, subject to compliance requirements.—
Shruti Srivastava,
Bloomberg,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directing. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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