1
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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2
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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3
as in memoranda
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 directives
Provide context for decisions to empower your team with understanding, not just directives.
—
Ricky Muddimer, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
As with al-Qaida, the directives devolved by ISIS in propaganda tailored to incite violence here in the West emphasize killing as many people as possible.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
More important, strict directives prioritize box-checking over holistic growth.
—Ilana Masad, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
To City Hall, Parker brought will, plans and many directives.
—Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 23 Dec. 2024
Normally, legislative bodies pass bills and local ordinances, including directives on how to spend tax money.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 22 Dec. 2024
For example, if communication clarity was a theme, commit to regular team updates or clearer directives.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
According to an internal memo obtained by the Tribune, the mayor gave directives for the ousting of Martinez in September.
—Sarah MacAraeg, Chicago Tribune, 20 Dec. 2024
When these particular photos were taken, nearly 1,000 Black women, alongside more than 5,000 Black men, were employed in Kaiser’s shipyards on San Francisco Bay, a direct result of government directives which erased some racial and gender employment barriers out of pure practicality.
—April White, JSTOR Daily, 16 Dec. 2024
Ricky Muddimer, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
As with al-Qaida, the directives devolved by ISIS in propaganda tailored to incite violence here in the West emphasize killing as many people as possible.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
More important, strict directives prioritize box-checking over holistic growth.
—Ilana Masad, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
To City Hall, Parker brought will, plans and many directives.
—Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 23 Dec. 2024
Normally, legislative bodies pass bills and local ordinances, including directives on how to spend tax money.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 22 Dec. 2024
For example, if communication clarity was a theme, commit to regular team updates or clearer directives.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
According to an internal memo obtained by the Tribune, the mayor gave directives for the ousting of Martinez in September.
—Sarah MacAraeg, Chicago Tribune, 20 Dec. 2024
When these particular photos were taken, nearly 1,000 Black women, alongside more than 5,000 Black men, were employed in Kaiser’s shipyards on San Francisco Bay, a direct result of government directives which erased some racial and gender employment barriers out of pure practicality.
—April White, JSTOR Daily, 16 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near directives
Cite this Entry
“Directives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directives. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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