DIRECTIVES Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

directives

noun

plural of directive

as in instructions

a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned the company president regularly issues directives intended for all staff members

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as in decrees

an order publicly issued by an authority a directive issued by the archbishop that is to be read during Sunday services at every parish

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as in memorandums

a written communication giving information or directions a growing stack of unread directives from the company's senior vice president

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of directives Individual campuses in the CSU and UC can create their own policies in addition to systemwide directives. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026 In a statement, ICE downplayed the significance of the memo, which said the new guidance was intended to replace and amend prior directives issued earlier this year, last year and in 2018. — Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026 In a statement, ICE downplayed the significance of the memo, which said the new guidance was intended to replace and amend previous directives issued earlier this year, last year and in 2018. — Ryan J. Foley, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 How could one holy book give its readers such seemingly contradictory directives? — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026 Some have done so, the prosecutor explained, by slow-walking directives of dubious merit, such as orders to investigate voter fraud by noncitizens—a phenomenon that Trump has falsely claimed is rampant. — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 This action follows previous directives this summer aimed at regulating data center expansion. — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026 Glass is no stranger to such responsibilities after serving as the top cop at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for the past four and half years while leading the agency’s directives and missions. — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026 Conflicting directives To some extent, the Spanish government has been forced to act slowly. — Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for directives

Noun

Because eligibility requirements, deadlines, and application procedures vary by state, be sure to follow the instructions provided by local election officials.

— TIME Staff, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Prosecutor Mark Luckett said the duo were directed by a third person believed to be in Iran who coordinated plans and provided instructions on making a homemade chlorine bomb.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of instructions

Noun

Sánchez's government suffered a bruising legislative defeat last week when right-wing opposition parties voted down emergency decrees introduced by his government to address evictions and real estate speculation.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Right-wing opposition parties joined forces to scuttle two emergency decrees introduced by Sánchez's government that included measures to reduce evictions and real estate speculation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of decrees

Noun

Decisions often get made in a room by people who trust one another, without committee memoranda or quarterly reporting obligations.

— Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
As of Friday afternoon, neither daughter had filed their sentencing memorandums.

— Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of memorandums

Noun

The film by and large follows the edicts of Iranian neorealism, with unobtrusive observations and a naturalistic soundscape.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Many believe Beijing perceived Tung as a loyalist who would obey the Communist leadership’s edicts.

— Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of edicts

Noun

Of late, the court seems to be making an effort to offer some limited explanations of its emergency docket rulings, but lower court judges, both liberal and conservative, complain that isn't enough to provide them with adequate guidance.

— Nina Totenberg, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
In the wake of those rulings, Hoskins ordered the state’s local election authorities to use the 2025 map, pointing to the federal ruling in favor of the map.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of rulings

Noun

Any new notices must be based on a more careful review of which homes actually qualify, according to the ruling.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2026
Residents say the notices represent just a fraction of what occurs at the site, including noxious odors and noisy truck deliveries when people are trying to sleep.

— Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of notices

Noun

Lisa walks in with everyone’s orders and walks out with three giant bags of fast-food goodness.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
If all goes to plan, orders are slated to ship worldwide in November; shipping starts at $15 for two devices in the US, Canada, and Australia.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of orders

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directive

directives

directly

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“Directives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directives. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of directives

noun

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