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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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Melanie Phillips, a columnist for the Times of London, says the attack in Manchester “took place against the backdrop of two years of demonization, incitement and intimidation directed at the Jewish community.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Intended as a direct jab at Labour, this also serves as a critique of successive Tory administrations that ignored the economy while trying to woo liberal opinion by unilaterally disarming in various culture wars.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

One big cost emerged when Belgium’s nuclear regulator said the Tihange reactor would probably need to be reinforced to withstand a direct hit from big jets.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, has directed all departments to make plans to eliminate positions that aren’t funded and “not consistent with the president’s priorities.”

Read more on Barron's

It happened in the summer of 2024, when the yen appreciated by around 12.5% thanks in part to direct market intervention from the Ministry of Finance.

Read more on Barron's

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

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