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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of directing
K.j. Yossman, Variety, 24 Mar. 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
Zhao became only the second woman to be nominated twice for best directing, following her win in 2021 for Nomadland.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
The fact that airlines are able to fly at all is due to the implementation of safe corridors directing aircraft away from danger, as a quick glance at any flight tracking app right now makes immediately clear.
—Clare Dight, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
Obviously this show is very personal for Jason Robert Brown, who’s also directing it.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Ben Younger, known for directing the Miles Teller boxing drama Bleed for This, is helming the project and is bringing his expertise as a pilot to the film.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 20 Mar. 2026
After directing a string of shorts, his big break came in his mid-20s on 1998 cult horror film Urban Legend for TriStar Pictures.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
The second order would aim to streamline the mortgage process, directing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to change its mortgage guidelines so that smaller banks could engage in more lending.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
Powerful security bodies such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are likely directing wartime strategy regardless of Mojtaba’s presence.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
Davis went out on a limb and predicted the film could ultimately win best picture and make a strong showing across several categories, including directing, acting and crafts.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
The series has also picked up a number of craft awards, including for directing, photography and lighting, casting, sound and lighting.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 24 Mar. 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
Zhao became only the second woman to be nominated twice for best directing, following her win in 2021 for Nomadland.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
How did Voros—who actually got her first major directing job from Ava DuVernay on Queen Sugar—come to be part of Sheridan’s inner circle?
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
The fact that airlines are able to fly at all is due to the implementation of safe corridors directing aircraft away from danger, as a quick glance at any flight tracking app right now makes immediately clear.
—Clare Dight, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
Obviously this show is very personal for Jason Robert Brown, who’s also directing it.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Ben Younger, known for directing the Miles Teller boxing drama Bleed for This, is helming the project and is bringing his expertise as a pilot to the film.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 20 Mar. 2026
After directing a string of shorts, his big break came in his mid-20s on 1998 cult horror film Urban Legend for TriStar Pictures.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
The second order would aim to streamline the mortgage process, directing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to change its mortgage guidelines so that smaller banks could engage in more lending.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
Powerful security bodies such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are likely directing wartime strategy regardless of Mojtaba’s presence.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
Davis went out on a limb and predicted the film could ultimately win best picture and make a strong showing across several categories, including directing, acting and crafts.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directing
Noun
-
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
-
With his unmistakable voice and commanding presence, Dance has left his mark on everything from and Alien 3 (1992) and Michael Collins (1996) to Game of Thrones (2011â€â€“â€2015) and The Crown (2019â€â€“â€2020).—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The team behind Kisa and C as in Charlie is channeling Atlanta nostalgia with this Southern country buffet concept debuting in the East Village.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Pham donned a neon pink wig and a vest, channeling Lily’s alter ego, Lola.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a statement to ProPublica, the CDIA highlighted that a notice instructing consumers to first dispute directly had been present in the CFPB complaint portal briefly around 2012.—
Joel Jacobs,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Udvardy, 27, received a message from a phone number with a United Kingdom country code, instructing her to lose a match at a tournament one rung below the main tour.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola was served with a warrant ordering him to appear in court next month in relation to an investigation into a reportedly corrupt contract to provide health and well-being services to police officers, police spokesperson Brig.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Israel has announced multiple expansions of its operations in Lebanon since the Iran war began, including airstrikes across the country and ground forces seizing ground in the south and ordering tens of thousands of civilians to flee.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Everett’s duties included supervising the equestrian facilities, snack bar operations, facility maintenance and various administrative requirements, such as assisting the association in securing water rights and the HOA Board of Directors election.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The state retained oversight under the contract, but turned over most responsibilities for the children over to Empower, including finding homes for them and supervising their cases.—
Jane Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Purdue was a top two seed for the third time in four years and aiming for its second Final Four in three seasons, while Queens, the small, private school from Charlotte, was making its March Madness debut.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Related Stories Organized by the Series Mania Institute and Beta, the indie European TV-film powerhouse, Series Mania weighs in as one of Europe’s prestige development labs, focusing on filmmakers and TV directors aiming to make their first drama series as its driving creative force.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In Virginia’s legislature, patrons are responsible for introducing legislation and guiding it through the entire legislative process, including defending it on the floor if necessary.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The legislative blueprint outlines a half-dozen guiding principles for lawmakers, focusing on protecting children, preventing electricity costs from surging, respecting intellectual property rights, preventing censorship and educating Americans on using the technology.—
SEUNG MIN KIM,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Rousseau is a notoriously controlling and meticulous leader, obsessed with optics and strict about the physical fitness of his members.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
15 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directing. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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