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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of direct
Tamara Keith, NPR, 15 Feb. 2025
Trump did not immediately put tariffs in place, but directed trade officials to go country by country and put together a slate of counter measures.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Zachary Basu, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025
Antonio Gaines, president of HUD Council 222 of the American Federation of Government Employees, was told of these targets by three officials with direct knowledge of them, but who also declined to be named for fear of retribution.
—Laurel Wamsley, NPR, 14 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
The power of the purse Another law under pressure is the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, a response to Nixon's refusal to spend funds as directed by Congress.
—Tamara Keith, NPR, 15 Feb. 2025
Trump did not immediately put tariffs in place, but directed trade officials to go country by country and put together a slate of counter measures.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Driving the news: Trump left NATO and Ukraine still reeling with his initiation of direct peace talks with Russia, without Ukraine fully in the loop or other European leaders even in the conversation.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025
Antonio Gaines, president of HUD Council 222 of the American Federation of Government Employees, was told of these targets by three officials with direct knowledge of them, but who also declined to be named for fear of retribution.
—Laurel Wamsley, NPR, 14 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
-
Instead of attempting to channel the Oakland icon by outscoring the Wildcats in a high-tempo affair with the Oakland Athletic League title on the line, Oakland Tech gritted out a stop-and-start 60-50 victory on Wednesday night.—
Joseph Dycus,
The Mercury News,
13 Feb. 2025
-
Styled by Ib Kamara and lensed by Steven Meisel, the pop star channeled the pin-up styles of Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe and Madonna.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
In the courtroom, Judge Gregory Carro ordered that Mangione remain cuffed during the hearing, citing security reasons.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
22 Feb. 2025
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Trump previously ordered the US to declare cartels terrorist groups in a January 20 executive order, but until US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s official announcement on Thursday, none of the cartels had been specifically named.—
Max Saltman,
CNN,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Now the homeowner is requesting permission from the local council, to rezone the historic property as three houses and a cottage.—
Madeline Fitzgerald,
Quartz,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Police said the suspect, later identified as Onyx Calderon, showed up at the store on Jan. 29 and requested to see the rare bird, so the owner brought the parrot out in a smaller cage for his viewing purposes.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of hospital beds, jail cells or the streets, Carroll Respite provides structured, medically supervised care for vulnerable individuals.—
Leslie Simmons,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2025
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The restoration was supervised by Ross Lipman and Jillian Borders, in consultation with Burnett.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Unlike traditional medical interventions that often focus on treating symptoms, medical retreats aim to identify the root causes of health challenges, both known and unknown.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
-
In a series of decisive actions aimed at downsizing the federal workforce, Trump initiated mass firings targeting probationary employees across multiple federal agencies.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The British family that has steered the James Bond franchise for more than 60 years, zealously protecting the superspy from the indignities of Hollywood strip mining, has agreed to relinquish control to Amazon.—
Brooks Barnes,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Nearly a decade after that, Willis steered Sabathia to an American League Cy Young Award.—
Zack Meisel,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In the past two years, 55% to 60% of clients have been men who cited sports wagering as their primary type of gambling, Whelan said.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
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The motion also would have quashed the grand jury selected to investigate the Jan. 16 Democratic primary runoff for the 21st District senatorial seat.—
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,
arkansasonline.com,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Filming their every outspoken thought and conversation whether in the newsroom, at home, on the street or in cars driving around frigid Moscow, the director channels the growing sense of dread as the government crackdown accelerates and the war nears.—
Jordan Mintzer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Feb. 2025
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Bongino, a 50-year-old former Secret Service agent turned conservative-media commentator, is instead most well known for his outspoken support for Trump and his frequent spreading of misinformation, including about the FBI.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
TIME,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Direct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direct. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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