1
as in instruction
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned
the company president regularly issues directives intended for all staff members
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decree
an order publicly issued by an authority
a directive issued by the archbishop that is to be read during Sunday services at every parish
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3
as in memorandum
a written communication giving information or directions
a growing stack of unread directives from the company's senior vice president
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of directive
Following a now-familiar political strategy, the order instructs Vance to work with Congress to tie the Smithsonian’s future funding directly to the administration’s directives.
—
Melissa Noel, Essence, 28 Mar. 2025
The White House touted Thursday’s directive as necessary to end union obstruction at agencies with critical security responsibilities, but the unions said the order eliminates labor protections for hundreds of thousands of civil servants.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
Even today, farmers have land-use rights but do not own their land, which deprives them of capital and subjects them to party directives on how to use it.
—Ian Johnson, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025
Though with the economy in a precarious position, and if 2024 is any indicator, state employees might just endure the unpopular return-to-office directive this year.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directive
Melissa Noel, Essence, 28 Mar. 2025
The White House touted Thursday’s directive as necessary to end union obstruction at agencies with critical security responsibilities, but the unions said the order eliminates labor protections for hundreds of thousands of civil servants.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
Even today, farmers have land-use rights but do not own their land, which deprives them of capital and subjects them to party directives on how to use it.
—Ian Johnson, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025
Though with the economy in a precarious position, and if 2024 is any indicator, state employees might just endure the unpopular return-to-office directive this year.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directive
Noun
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Through the years, North talked about his experiences as a child actor, saying producers were most interested in obtaining a performance out of him while his schooling was neglected, despite California laws requiring three hours of instruction a day for child actors.—
Stacy Perman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2025
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Next, Henrique simply told Copilot to organize the notes—no need for specific instructions.—
Michael Muchmore,
PC Magazine,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
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South Korea’s Yoon defends his martial law decree in first public appearance since arrest The trial has also stirred concerns that South Korea is seeing the resurgence of an authoritarian far right.—
Max Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2025
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In the near term, the tariffs will affect the cost of sporting goods, sneakers and apparel, much of which are made outside the country in countries including China, India, Bangladesh and Vietnam, all subject to higher tariffs under Trump’s Wednesday decree.—
Brendan Coffey,
Sportico.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But Tyler’s only responsibilities were to create the system, implement it and support it, the vendor said in its memorandum.—
Ryan Oehrli,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2025
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In 2022, Washington and Amman signed a memorandum of understanding that promised $1.45 billion in U.S. aid to the kingdom over seven years.—
Curtis R. Ryan,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The changes outlined in the memo could deal another setback to the ranks of the department’s most experienced nonpolitical career prosecutors, who have been subjected to a wave of firings, forced transfers and policy edicts since Mr. Trump’s inauguration.—
Devlin Barrett,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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Such wasn’t the case for other pages involving minorities and women, because the department said those pages violated the Trump administration’s edict against DEI, which stands for diversity, equity and inclusion.—
Terence Moore,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Following the ruling, on March 27, Earl's mother, Alice Marie Rollinson Bunch Idlett, 75, now living in Norwood, La., was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the boy's death.—
Liam Quinn,
People.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been found guilty of embezzlement of public funds and has been deemed ineligible to run for public office, a ruling that could derail her 2027 campaign to succeed Emmanuel Macron as French President.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Vigil received admission notices from several law schools in northern states and UT Austin.—
Richard J. Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2025
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Foodservice locations should follow disposal instructions provided in the recall notice.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The vastness of framed white space and the comparatively minuscule labels arrest the viewer, requiring them to crane their neck, to move back and forth or close to the frame in order to read from part to part to whole while also weighing the blanks.—
Mara Mills,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
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The lawsuit seeks a ruling blocking Trump's order and barring federal agencies from complying with it.—
Daniel Wiessner,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Freire defended his title twice before dropping a decision to Daniel Straus in November 2015.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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Now consider what happens with AI either self-justifying a bad response or being unable to make a decision fast enough.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directive. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
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