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 The mayor and other commissioners are chosen by voters and can direct the city manager through resolutions and other directives to take actions for the city. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 As they’ve mercifully been decreased from six to four to three over the last 50 years, so have the prime directives. — Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026 In 2024, Western intelligence officials started gathering evidence that gangs in Scandinavia were subcontracting local teen-agers to carry out Iranian directives. — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026 The donor is always right, board opinions get treated as directives instead of input, and the structure itself is beyond question. — Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 In Israel, a small but growing minority of citizens seek to improve their country’s security by upholding both the principles of democracy and Jewish directives governing the treatment of fellow humans. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026 The Star-Telegram requested more information from Abbott’s office about his directive with regard to proximity, but his office emailed links to the two directives already shared. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2026 As a result, the governor has issued a variety of directives on data centers since June, including a pause on data center development and lawmakers in Texas are reacting. — Jack Fink, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 At the time, the court decided that a challenge to other sections, including directives on Medicaid funding, were not ready for litigation. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 14 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directives
  1. instructions
  2. decrees
  3. memorandums
  4. edicts
  5. rulings
  6. notices
  7. orders
  8. decisions
Noun
  • Add the ramen noodles to the boiling water and cook for approximately 2 1/2 minutes, or according to the noodle manufacturer's instructions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Always follow the instructions on the product label for the correct application rate.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of instructions
Noun
  • The starting gun for the new posture in Tehran sounded with decrees reorganizing Iran’s security leadership last week issued in the name of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • As of June 2026, the Taliban has issued 166 decrees specifically targeting the rights of women and girls, according to the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security.
    — Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 15 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
  • The president’s orders and edicts have no basis in reality, are nonsensical and are making our nation significantly less safe.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of edicts
Noun
  • The rulings also leave unanswered how the admission maps onto the different Style3D versions examined during the case.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Turkey’s government insists its courts are independent as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shrugs off European rulings, a stance that has already fueled a diplomatic clash with Western ambassadors over Kavala’s detention.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of rulings
Noun
  • As of Tuesday, the California EDD hasn’t received any new notices from Raley’s.
    — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The City of Berkeley posted public notices Tuesday warning that anything other than vehicles blocking streets and sidewalks around the encampment along several blocks of Harrison Street will be removed beginning September 8.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of notices
Noun
  • Although the company didn’t provide a detailed breakdown of orders, the tweet offers a glimpse into customer support volume.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Within the system, autonomous mobile robots called SymBots retrieve totes holding goods from storage before bringing them to a pick station where an operator can fulfill multiple orders simultaneously.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of orders
Noun
  • Unrivaled remains governed by a 10-player committee, who advise on decisions such as travel and expansion.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Some might wonder why the commission has not already opened an investigation, given the seemingly ample amount of evidence that FIFA does not consult before making big decisions, but Masters took a more diplomatic stance.
    — Matt Slater, New York Times, 26 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 28 Aug. 2026.

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