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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

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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 Lately, the tide has appeared to be turning in IBM’s direction. Billy Perrigo, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025 Another executive order wants to abolish certain Equal Employment Opportunity functions and start the process of removing the employees who happen to be performing those duties at the direction of their managers. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2025 The image uses colors to indicate the landslide speed and direction, with dark red representing the highest velocity per week and light yellow representing the lowest. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025 Meanwhile, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, under Trump's direction, is conducting sweeping raids across the country, while his orders to impose tariffs on Mexico and Canada sent the economy reeling over a potential trade war. Meredith Conroy, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for direction 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direction
Noun
  • The instructions said the test would take 20 minutes and require a pack of lancets.
    Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2025
  • In the Fort Worth Independent School District and across Texas, conversations about literacy instruction have largely focused on the early grades.
    Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Here's what to know California on 'high alert' as looming storm threatens flooding, mudslides, heavy snow A rockslide was reported by emergency management officials on I-69 in Kentucky between Dawson Springs and Princeton, reported the weather service in Paducah.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2025
  • Brodeur said in a prepared statement that water management districts were founded to manage stormwater and flood-control efforts but have taken on other issues.
    Jim Saunders, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • When loggerheads are exposed to radiofrequency, or RF, waves — the same type of radiation emitted by devices such as mobile phones and radio transmitters — their magnetic map remains stable, while their compass is disrupted.
    Julianna Bragg, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
  • This would help determine latitude in the case of a compass.
    Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • At its core is Alice, an advanced AI guide that provides 24/7 personalized support while continuously analyzing real-time data from thousands of colleges, admissions trends, and student outcomes.
    Jason Phillips, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Chinese travel trends China has been working on some innovative ways to get around – from the prototype for what could be the world’s fastest high-speed train to robot legs to make mountain-climbing easier.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In turn, Israel has accused Hamas of not respecting the order in which the hostages were to be released and of orchestrating abusive public displays before large crowds when they have been handed over to the Red Cross.
    James Mackenzie, Emily Rose, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Trump's Sweeping Anti-Trans Executive Order Explained The president signed the sweeping order within hours of taking office, signaling that curtailing the rights of trans people is a top priority for his administration.
    Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Children in the test group, though, were started with a ⅛ daily teaspoon of peanut butter, given under medical supervision.
    Michael Franco, New Atlas, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Kids age 8 or younger require parental supervision.
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The ceremony also turned the tide for Conclave, a co-production made with funding from both the United States and the United Kingdom, with Best Film, Outstanding British Film, and Best Adapted Screenplay awards.
    Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2025
  • On the milestone night for Lamberti, Lewandowski helped turn the tide in the third quarter with her pressure defense.
    Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • As a result of Trump’s edicts, employees have been fired; websites have been removed; and scientific papers have been withdrawn.
    Brian Stelter, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
  • However, on January 28, shortly before the memo’s edicts were set to take effect, U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan issued a stay on the funding freeze.
    Samantha Riedel, Them, 29 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near direction

Cite this Entry

“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direction. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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