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direct

Definition for direct

adjective as in honest

Strongest matches

blunt, candid, explicit, forthright, sincere, straightforward, unambiguous, unequivocal

Strong matches

bald, express, frank, open, plain, straight

Weak matches

categorical, downright, matter-of-fact, outspoken, plainspoken, point-blank, straight from the shoulder, talk turkey, unconcealed, undisguised, unreserved

adjective as in undeviating; uninterrupted

Strongest match

Strong matches

even, right, straight, true

Weak matches

beeline, horizontal, in bee line, in straight line, linear, nonstop, not crooked, point-blank, shortest, straight ahead, straightaway, through, unbroken, unswerving

adjective as in face-to-face; next to

Strongest matches

immediate, person-to-person, personal

Strong matches

lineal, prompt, succeeding

Weak matches

contiguous, firsthand, head-on, next, primary, proximate, resultant

verb as in manage, oversee

Strongest matches

advise, conduct, control, guide, handle, keep, lead, operate, run, supervise

Strong matches

administer, boss, dispose, dominate, govern, influence, ordain, quarterback, regulate, rule, shepherd, superintend

Weak matches

be in the driver's seat, call the shots, carry on, control the affairs of, have the say, head up, preside over, run the show, run things, take the reins

verb as in give instructions; teach

Strongest matches

address, advise, command, deliver, inform, instruct, order, tell, warn

Strong matches

bid, charge, dictate, enjoin, lecture, read

Weak matches

give directions, give orders

verb as in point in a direction; guide

Strongest matches

address, aim, cast, conduct, focus, head, intend, lead, mean, present, see, set, show, steer, target, train, turn

Strong matches

beam, escort, fix, incline, indicate, lay, level, pilot, point, route, shepherd, sight, slant

Weak matches

move in, point the way, sight on, zero in

verb as in send, usually by mail system

Strongest match

Strong matches

designate, inscribe, label, mail, mark, route, superscribe

verb as in put all of efforts toward

Strongest matches

address, aim, apply, devote, give, set, throw, try, turn

Strong matches

bend, endeavor, fix, settle, strive

Weak match

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Example Sentences

California’s hazardous waste laws were first established in 1972 to direct the state to regulate the handling, transportation and disposal of dangerous materials within the state.

From Los Angeles Times

Rebecca Frecknall, who directed the recent Broadway revival of “Cabaret” that made a choppy Atlantic crossing, has brought to Brooklyn the best revival of “A Streetcar Named Desire” of my lifetime.

From Los Angeles Times

"The president's mandate as directed to me clearly is to shut down the Department of Education," she said.

From Salon

"Ireland is the sixth largest source of foreign direct investment in the US, supporting hundreds and thousands of jobs across the US," he said.

From BBC

The Los Angeles Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds provide direct support to businesses, nonprofits and workers affected by the windstorm and wildfires that occurred in January.

From Los Angeles Times

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When To Use

What are other ways to say direct?

To direct is to give information for guidance, or instructions or orders for a course of procedure: to direct someone to the station. To conduct is to precede or escort them to a place, sometimes with a degree of ceremony: to conduct a guest to his room. Guide implies continuous presence or agency in showing or indicating a course: to guide a traveler. To lead is to bring them onward in a course, guiding by contact or by going in advance; hence, figuratively, to influence or induce to some course of conduct: to lead a procession; to lead astray.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

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