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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

Ancient DNA provides a direct look at the genomes of individuals who lived closer in time to these events, allowing researchers to observe evolutionary changes before they were lost.

From Science Daily

But less than a week later, Sheriff Robert Luna sent a department-wide email directing staff to comply with the OIG request.

From Los Angeles Times

If you want more control over your investments while reaping the benefits of an index fund, you can try direct indexing.

From Salon

Brown's peaches aren't your everyday peaches, they're heirlooms: direct descendants of peach seeds brought across the continent on the Trail of Tears.

From Salon

People ask me about directing all the time.

From Salon

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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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