1
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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2
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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3
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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Recent Examples of directive
According to an internal memo obtained by the Tribune, the mayor gave directives for the ousting of Martinez in September.
—
Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
Kavanaugh suggested Apple, Google and any other conduits for the app may feel a presidential directive not to enforce the law wouldn't be enough protection from the law’s stiff penalties.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
Three people, including a Thai lawmaker and two others in touch with Thai authorities, told the AP there have been recent discussions within the government about deporting the Uyghurs to China, though the people had not yet seen or heard of any formal directive to do so.
—Dake Kang and Huizhong Wu, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
That was the directive the film’s Dyas received from director Pablo Larrain when approaching their latest film together.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for directive 
Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
Kavanaugh suggested Apple, Google and any other conduits for the app may feel a presidential directive not to enforce the law wouldn't be enough protection from the law’s stiff penalties.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
Three people, including a Thai lawmaker and two others in touch with Thai authorities, told the AP there have been recent discussions within the government about deporting the Uyghurs to China, though the people had not yet seen or heard of any formal directive to do so.
—Dake Kang and Huizhong Wu, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
That was the directive the film’s Dyas received from director Pablo Larrain when approaching their latest film together.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for directive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directive
Noun
-
Everyday robes should be washed regularly, following the instructions on the care tag.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Even as President Donald Trump recently obliterated the federal government’s support for DEI, his executive order leaves academic instruction untouched.—
Matt Beienburg,
National Review,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Two days after being sworn in as president, Trump signed one that essentially rolled back the decades-old decree.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
22 Jan. 2025
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But the legality of his decree remains in question, and TikTok is still unavailable in US app stores.—
Paresh Dave,
WIRED,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Among the benefits promised in both the social media posts and investor memorandums seen by Variety were set visits, private screenings and exclusive merchandise.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
17 Jan. 2025
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Catch up quick: Metro Council approved a memorandum of understanding between the city and TPAC last year.—
Nate Rau,
Axios,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Although company leaders announce the return-to-office edicts, direct supervisors are reluctant to scold or discipline employees for trying to get around them, Nickson said.—
Paul Davidson,
USA TODAY,
21 Jan. 2025
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McLellan’s Day 1 edict to play harder, faster and smarter has come to fruition, which has revived a season that only three weeks ago seemed doomed.—
Max Bultman,
The Athletic,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Willis has asked the Georgia Supreme Court to reverse the ruling removing her and her office from the case.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
arkansasonline.com,
18 Jan. 2025
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After the ruling, Miami Beach officials kept in place their requirement to offer shelter before making arrests for camping but said the decision would aid in their enforcement.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In 1949, during the Cold War era, the Soviet Union sent a withdrawal notice by telegram.—
Fatma Tanis,
NPR,
17 Jan. 2025
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Also, TikTok will likely show you a notice about using the app, mostly around future updates.—
John Brandon,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Italian law stipulates the rules for where and how the cheese can be produced, including how long it’s aged, in order to be called Parmigiano-Reggiano.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
18 Jan. 2025
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Both types of ovens could also be malfunctioning as the result of a faulty thermostat, which tells the oven when and when not to run a heating cycle in order to maintain the preset temperature.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Reinhart's decision to step away from his role is tied to his contract, which came to an end in 2024 with no renewal for the following year.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
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The Singapore dollar weakened slightly after the decision against the greenback, deprecating marginally to 1.3556, while the city-state’s Straits Times index climbed marginally.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near directive
Cite this Entry
“Directive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directive. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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