directives

noun

plural of directive
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 memorandums
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 directives Nothing in twelve months of directives, license grants and product shutdowns suggests that trade is on the table. — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Party directives call for greater Chinese influence over rules governing the oceans, polar regions, cyberspace, outer space, nuclear safety, anticorruption efforts, climate change, and international finance. — Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026 In May, the state Supreme Court upheld the gerrymandered map, bolstered by directives from Missouri’s secretary of state and attorney general. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026 The new directives represent the administration’s latest effort to fulfill a long-standing campaign pledge by testing the constitutional boundaries of birthright citizenship through complex legal arguments. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026 Zaid Arzate, Powerhouse’s director of development and data center construction, said that even before Abbott’s directives, their plan met those requirements. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2026 That trust is reinforced by a constant focus on improving governance, not solely by directives but by taking in the best advice from all stakeholders. — Liron Zaslansky, semafor.com, 22 July 2026 Earlier directives, dating to Ronald Reagan’s presidency, treated terrorism as a global menace countered through military power and diplomacy. — Melinda Haas, The Conversation, 17 July 2026 Federal directives apply to federal properties, while state directives apply to facilities for state agencies. — Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directives
  1. instructions
  2. decrees
  3. memorandums
  4. edicts
  5. rulings
  6. notices
  7. orders
  8. decisions
Noun
  • Do apply a lawn fungicide shortly after sodding, and repeat about two weeks later following label instructions.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
  • To prevent this, always use distilled water and keep it clean, following the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
    — Kendall Bettle, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of instructions
Noun
  • The agency warned that recent decrees had further weakened women’s legal protections.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Appointments, decrees, an emergency spending cut, a tax bill, a security package.
    — Armando Regil Velasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of decrees
Noun
  • Goldman signed non-binding memorandums of understanding (MOUs), not formal contracts, with Nvidia.
    — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Nvidia signed memorandums of understanding with Apollo, BlackRock, Blackstone, Brookfield, Goldman Sachs and KKR for the financing platforms.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of memorandums
Noun
  • Those who oppose the Mexican Mafia, or fail to follow the edicts of the gang’s leaders, are often targeted for beatings or even death.
    — Sean Emery, Oc Register, 22 July 2026
  • Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse The highly agile Getty shooter Alan Crowhurst has done us a great favor by bringing concrete cloakroom evidence of the many social and administrative challenges that the (famous) Royal Ascot costume edicts require in order to be properly met.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Definition of edicts
Noun
  • The president is seeking ways around rulings on tariffs, birthright citizenship and the Fed.
    — Julian Mark, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Nevada bans betting on elections, but court rulings have forced Polymarket and Kalshi to cease operating in the state.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of rulings
Noun
  • But that line of reasoning did not resonate with the Service Employees International Union, which represents about 6,000 Sharp employees, 81 of whom received layoff notices Tuesday.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued at least 20 violation notices to Lineage for public nuisance.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of notices
Noun
  • Agility has more than $300 million in committed multi-year orders for its next-generation Digit v5 humanoid robot.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • That demand could come from the world’s mills if downstream buyers are willing to maintain or build orders despite higher costs.
    — SJ Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of orders
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Mercury in your private 12th house sextiles Venus in your 2nd House of Resources, supporting quiet decisions around money, self-worth, and peace.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Starbuck told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette the decisions of other cities had no bearing on Greers Ferry.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of decisions

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Cite this Entry

“Directives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directives. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of directives for Spanish Speakers

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