as in overseeing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in commanding
Synonyms & Similar 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
Erik Sherman, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Nicholas Hoult has signed on to star in the untitled bank heist thriller that David Leitch is directing for Amazon MGM Studios and Imagine Entertainment.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
Sakurai took over directing duties from Talk To Me filmmakers Danny & Michael Philippou.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2025
In addition to directing, Osit produced, edited and filmed the movie.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 24 Mar. 2025
The actor has worked behind the camera as well, directing the award-winning documentary Three Days (of Hamlet) (2012).
—Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025
There’s something about directing that forces you to be so present in every moment.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2025
After helping make stars of the cast of The Dick Van Dyke Show, Reiner helped Steve Martin break onto the scene, directing and writing on four films for the comedian.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
After a few shots, her years of modeling experience becomes evident, and the star begins posing without direction, later directing a camcorder video for Vogue.
—Irene Kim, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
Shouldn’t, Mean To my hearing and reading, Peterson disagrees with directing or legislating equality of outcomes.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Nicholas Hoult has signed on to star in the untitled bank heist thriller that David Leitch is directing for Amazon MGM Studios and Imagine Entertainment.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
Sakurai took over directing duties from Talk To Me filmmakers Danny & Michael Philippou.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2025
In addition to directing, Osit produced, edited and filmed the movie.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 24 Mar. 2025
The actor has worked behind the camera as well, directing the award-winning documentary Three Days (of Hamlet) (2012).
—Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025
There’s something about directing that forces you to be so present in every moment.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2025
After helping make stars of the cast of The Dick Van Dyke Show, Reiner helped Steve Martin break onto the scene, directing and writing on four films for the comedian.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
After a few shots, her years of modeling experience becomes evident, and the star begins posing without direction, later directing a camcorder video for Vogue.
—Irene Kim, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directing
Verb
-
The next year, Martin was accused of instructing staffers to regularly delete their emails to prevent them from becoming available to the media or public under the state’s Sunshine Law.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Whitfield doubles down on his previous orders, instructing the former sheepherder to murder all the Duttons and dump their bodies in the lawless border town.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Roles will increasingly revolve around supervising, collaborating with, or augmenting the capabilities of AI agents.—
Ray Ravaglia,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Rick Morales is supervising producer.—
Rick Porter,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Alvarez drops to receive Almada’s pass before guiding it first time to Fernandez.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Heyman is best known for guiding the Harry Potter movie franchise across eight successful movies.—
Borys Kit,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Has exhibited possessive or controlling behavior, and is in a recent or pending divorce or separation.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Apr. 2025
-
There was no controlling vibes or no weird feelings.—
Anne Easton,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Hamilton County Coroner's Office is requesting help finding the relatives of a man who died this week.—
Erin Couch,
The Enquirer,
24 Dec. 2024
-
But community members argue that’s no less offensive and are requesting another change.—
Lorraine Mirabella,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on X, formerly Twitter, that all relevant forces in southern Lebanon and the monitoring committee and army overseeing the November truce should work to stop violations that could threaten his country.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Her passion for mental health led her to establish JC & Ashley Counseling in 2023, serving as chief executive officer and overseeing a team of 10 skilled counselors.—
Hilary Tetenbaum,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
But ather than casting someone else to play her child self, the film shows the adult Josephine dancing in the living room, in a mode that recalls Michel Gondry’s work in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.—
James Factora,
Them.,
31 Mar. 2025
-
But something began to go wrong with some of these LED arrays beginning around 2021, when the first reports appeared of previously white streetlights suddenly casting first lavender, then violet and finally plum-colored light.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
But Warren also gave off the impression he will be heavily involved in steering everything.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Dec. 2024
-
Social media has flipped the power dynamic, turning memes into tools for steering these rivalries.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes,
10 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Directing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directing. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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