Synonyms for direct
modified
Without divergence
straight, in a straight line, straight ahead, undeviating, uninterrupted, right, unswerving, linear, straightaway, shortest, nonstop, through, in a bee line, as the crow flies, straight as an arrow, point-blank; see also straight 1.
Antonyms zigzag*, roundabout, crooked.
Frank
straightforward, outspoken, candid; see frank, honest 1.
With nothing or no one intervening
immediate, firsthand, unmediated, close, personal, primary, verbatim; see also literal 1.
verb
To show the way
conduct, show, guide, steer; see lead 1.
To decide the course of affairs
regulate, govern, influence; see command 2, manage 1.
To teach
inform, instruct, give directions; see advise 1, teach 1.
To address
deliver, lecture, read; see address 2.
To aim
point, train, level, focus; see aim 2.
To command
order, bid, charge; see command 1.
To direct one's effort
strive, address oneself, focus; see apply (oneself), try 1, undertake.
To write directions on a letter or package
inscribe, label, designate; see address 1, mark 1, 2. See syn. study at command, manage.
See direct in Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus II
verb
To have charge of (the affairs of others):
administer, administrate, govern, head, manage, run, superintend, supervise. See overTo control the course of (an activity):
carry on, conduct, manage, operate, run, steer. See overTo exercise authority or influence over:
control, dominate, govern, rule. Idioms: be at the helm, be in the driver's seat, hold sway over, hold the reins. See overTo give orders to:
bid, charge, command, enjoin, instruct, order, tell. See over, wordsTo devote (oneself or one's efforts):
address, apply, bend, buckle down, concentrate, dedicate, devote, focus, give, turn. See collect, workTo show the way to:
conduct, escort, guide, lead, pilot, route, shepherd, show, steer, usher. See showTo move (a weapon or blow, for example) in the direction of someone or something:
aim, cast, head, level, point, set1, train, turn, zero in. (Military) lay1. See seekTo mark (a written communication) with its destination:
address, superscribe. See start
adjective
Proceeding or lying in an uninterrupted line or course:
straight, straightforward, through. See straightManifesting honesty and directness, especially in speech:
candid, downright, forthright, frank, honest, ingenuous, man-to-man, open, plainspoken, straight, straightforward, straight-out, unreserved. (Informal) straight-from-the-shoulder, straight-shooting. See clear, showMarked by the absence of any intervention:
firsthand, immediate, primary. See clear, nearOf unbroken descent or lineage:
lineal. See continue
adverb
In a direct line:
dead, directly, due, right, straight, straightaway. See straightWith precision or absolute conformity:
bang, dead, directly, exactly, fair, flush, just, precisely, right, smack1, square, squarely, straight. (Slang) smack-dab. See precise
Learn more about direct
