self-direct
verb
self-di·rect
ˌself-də-ˈrekt 
-dī-
self-directed; self-directing; self-directs
1
a
transitive
: to direct or manage (something, such as one's work, study, or investments) for or by oneself
… the author discusses the basic elements and benefits of self-directing your retirement funds.—
Mark J. Kohler
Mark J. Kohler… allowing her children to self-direct their education, letting them decide what to learn based on their interests.—Katrina J. E. Milton
Katrina J. E. Milton
b
intransitive
: to direct or guide oneself : to make choices for or by oneself
Something magical happens by letting kids self-direct. They're happy and moving and healthy.—Grant Segall
Grant Segall2
transitive + intransitive
: to serve as the director of something (such as a play) in which one also performs
… decided to self-direct two one-act plays in lieu of the fall musical.—The Colchester (Vermont) Sun
The Colchester (Vermont) SunWith their new company, they are also able to self-direct and produce.—Nicole S. Colson
Nicole S. Colson
self-directing
ˌself-də-ˈrek-tiŋ
adjective
-dī-
self-directing investors
The purpose of 4-H is to help youth acquire knowledge, develop life skills, and form attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive members of society.
—Northern Wyoming Daily News
Northern Wyoming Daily News
self-direction
ˌself-də-ˈrek-shən
noun
-dī-
Creating jobs that allow for self-direction, for independent thought and judgment, can make people more supportive and flexible at home.
—Adam Grant
Adam Grant
Examples of self-direct in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The hope is their efforts drive TikTok users back to the cable network, but much of their work is self-directed, and not coordinated centrally by Fox News producers.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024
Tasks feel imposed rather than self-directed, diminishing a sense of autonomy that fuels intrinsic motivation.
—Jonathan H. Westover, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
Create programs that are self-directed so the HiPo isn’t waiting for someone else to develop them.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024
Renting a boat is another option for visitors who want their day to be more self-directed.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 24 June 2024
Unlike other psychedelics that are paired with therapy, though, the ibogaine trip itself is essentially internal and self-directed.
—Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 5 Jan. 2024
With a free flow of critical information, our people can better self-direct their work toward communally beneficial outcomes.
—Anni Hallila, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2023
With the rise of streaming came more opportunities for listening that, if not entirely self-directed, was at least less gate-kept than shrinking and increasingly throwback-centric radio playlists.
—Maura Johnston, BostonGlobe.com, 27 July 2023
The rapper self-directed the clip, which sees the pair vacationing in the woods.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2023
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Brian Steinberg, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024
Tasks feel imposed rather than self-directed, diminishing a sense of autonomy that fuels intrinsic motivation.
—Jonathan H. Westover, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
Create programs that are self-directed so the HiPo isn’t waiting for someone else to develop them.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024
Renting a boat is another option for visitors who want their day to be more self-directed.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 24 June 2024
Unlike other psychedelics that are paired with therapy, though, the ibogaine trip itself is essentially internal and self-directed.
—Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 5 Jan. 2024
With a free flow of critical information, our people can better self-direct their work toward communally beneficial outcomes.
—Anni Hallila, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2023
With the rise of streaming came more opportunities for listening that, if not entirely self-directed, was at least less gate-kept than shrinking and increasingly throwback-centric radio playlists.
—Maura Johnston, BostonGlobe.com, 27 July 2023
The rapper self-directed the clip, which sees the pair vacationing in the woods.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near self-direct
Cite this Entry
“Self-direct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-direct. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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