1
as in to channel
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 to order
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 to request
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 to supervise
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 to aim
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 to steer
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
1
as in primary
done or working without something else coming in between
a zoologist whose works are based entirely on her direct observation of animals in the wild the virus was the direct cause of the disease
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in outspoken
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions
our coach is very direct, never hesitating for a moment to tell a player whenever he isn't performing up to snuff
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in straightforward
going straight to the point clearly and firmly
clear and direct instructions that left no room for misinterpretation
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4
as in linear
free from irregularities or digressions in course
this road provides the most direct route to your destination
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as in straight
in a direct line or course
flew direct to the coast
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of direct
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon, veterans of the franchise, are directing the fifth installment.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Any trip to Asia from the U.S. will be on the long side, and there currently are no direct flights from the U.S. to major gateways in Thailand.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
Tensions continue to rise mid-month with Pluto stationing direct on Oct. 11, activating your eighth house of intimate unions and shared resources.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for direct
Verb
Not content to sit around and wait for someone to create it for him, Foster went ahead and wrote, directed, produced and starred in his own independent film.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon, veterans of the franchise, are directing the fifth installment.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Laser direct infrared imaging—an advanced form of microscopy using laser light—was used to detect and count the microplastic particles in each bird's lungs.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Any trip to Asia from the U.S. will be on the long side, and there currently are no direct flights from the U.S. to major gateways in Thailand.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
Adverb
Eligible taxpayers will receive a letter notifying them of the payment, and the payments will either be automatically direct deposited or sent by paper check.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
Tensions continue to rise mid-month with Pluto stationing direct on Oct. 11, activating your eighth house of intimate unions and shared resources.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for direct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direct
Verb
-
The pair effortlessly channeled mother-daughter fashion in coordinating all-black looks, with the seasoned supermodel in a silky halter dress, sheer tights and open-toe heels, while her offspring wore a sculptural, strapless minidress and ankle-strap heels.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Impressions of the week: Art left its mark — Erdem’s collaboration with Kaye Donachie brought portraiture to fabric, S.S. Daley channelled Francis Cadell’s brushwork and Roksanda reinterpreted Phyllida Barlow’s sculptural language into volume and form.—
Tianwei Zhang,
WWD,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
At their arraignment late Wednesday, a Brooklyn Criminal Court judge ordered the couple put on supervised release without bail.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2025
-
The judge ordered the parties to confer on a briefing schedule.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Then in September 2024, Ramsey was scrolling through Reddit and saw a post where someone had requested people be removed from a photo using Photoshop.—
Daniella Gray,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Registration is requested for refreshment planning.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The Trump administration has denied in court papers that intends to abolish the agency completely, arguing that some of its functions are continuing, but Reuters on Monday reported top officials at the consumer agency have not allowed staff to resume supervising financial companies.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA TODAY,
5 Mar. 2025
-
General billed Medicare and other government insurers for surgeries performed by Harvard medical trainees without proper oversight because supervising surgeons were working in another operating room.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Paramount is stepping back from some policies aimed at boosting diversity among its ranks amid a larger retreat from DEI initiatives in the private sector driven by the Trump administration.—
Winston Cho,
The Hollywood Reporter,
26 Feb. 2025
-
In April 2024, Meta announced its development of a new educational offering for Meta Quest headsets, aimed at providing teachers, trainers, and administrators access to a range of education-specific apps and features.—
Ray Ravaglia,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Understandably, some folks prefer to steer clear of body butters for many reasons: a super-heavy feel, a longer period of absorption, and a greasy film on your skin.—
Tatayana Yomary,
Essence,
3 Mar. 2025
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In his new position at Disney, Cripps will steer the overall global theatrical distribution of all Walt Disney Studios labels including Disney Live Action, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studio, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The money could give him a significant edge with just four months to go until the primary election.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN,
1 Mar. 2025
-
The interface consists of selecting a primary tool and then a contextual menu at the bottom of the screen with the options for that tool.—
Julian Chokkattu,
WIRED,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Schlossberg, who is late President John F. Kennedy’s grandson and an outspoken Democratic advocate, has previously criticized Kennedy Jr. for being vocal about his anti-vaccine perspective.—
Carly Thomas,
The Hollywood Reporter,
6 Mar. 2025
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In 2010, then-Rep. Ron Paul of Texas was outspoken in his suspicions regarding the gold's whereabouts.—
Emily Chang,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Direct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direct. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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