DIRECTIVE Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

directive

noun

Definition of directive

as in instruction

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in decree

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 memorandum

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

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Example Sentences

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 directive Geographic resiliency This section of the directive appears to endorse the results of a recent Pentagon study that identified the need for the government to have a third heavy-lift launch site in the United States. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026 In Israel, a small but growing minority of citizens seek to improve their country’s security by upholding both the principles of democracy and Jewish directives governing the treatment of fellow humans. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026 The directive instructed Duffy and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to locate and designate the route, and secure the proper permits and approvals. — Stefan Becket, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 Abbott issued a directive in June to require companies to pay for electrical infrastructure upgrades, reuse their own water and reduce the cost of electricity. — Ashley Capoot,garrett Downs, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for directive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for directive

Noun

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have uncovered a new processor attack that can bypass defenses in Intel and AMD chips by exploiting a security gap lasting only a handful of instructions.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
John’s hacking skills prove useful, as does the T-800’s extensive firepower—although per John’s instructions, there are zero human fatalities.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of instruction

Noun

Iran is determined to smother any internal unrest Rezaei’s appointment came in a recent set of decrees by the supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, that formally set Iran’s new senior leadership, including top military posts.

— Lee Keath, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
The decree renames one of the four Great Lakes, while providing a legal and philosophical justification for the act.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of decree

Noun

In the roughly six months since then, 18 service members have died, a memorandum of understanding has materialized and fallen apart, and the price of oil and gas has risen worldwide.

— Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to assess the surface equipment needed for a commercial-scale enhanced geothermal system (EGS).

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of memorandum

Noun

The president’s orders and edicts have no basis in reality, are nonsensical and are making our nation significantly less safe.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Imagine if an edict came down from above tomorrow that says college athletes must be treated as full-time W-2 employees.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of edict

Noun

The Thursday ruling came after Democrats and voting rights groups filed a fresh round of lawsuits to comply with the recent Supreme Court decision.

— Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Conor Fitzpatrick, an attorney with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which brought the lawsuit, praised the ruling.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of ruling

Noun

Starring Leisa Gwenllian in a breakout role, Marc Evans’ (Mr Burton) film drew strong notices this summer, especially for its lead.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
Another student parked in the bike rack at nearby John Wayne Park and found a notice from Newport Beach Public Works stating that his e-bike will be confiscated if it's not removed within 24 hours.

— Michele Gile, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of notice

Noun

If the teams refuse to enroll the players who benefit from the TRO, those players could petition Hoffman to clarify that his order also blocks the SEC from punishing schools.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The draft order was picked at random, but the league’s players didn’t pick a number out of a hat or see who could hit a golf shot closest to a hole.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of order

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directions

directive

directives

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“Directive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directive. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of directive

noun

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