Direct
Direct verb - To issue orders to (someone) by right of authority.
Usage example: our tour guide directed us to wait in front of the building until she could rejoin us
Lead is a synonym for direct in guide topic. In some cases you can use "Lead" instead a verb "Direct", when it comes to topics like activity, control, manage, align. popular alternative
Lead
Lead verb - To point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front.
Usage example: an enthusiastic docent led our group through the art museum
Direct is a synonym for lead in command topic. You can use "Direct" instead a verb "Lead", if it concerns topics such as activity, align, show, drive. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
- Michael Landon in Little House on the Prairie did not originally intend to both direct and lead in the role of Pa.
Source: Descended Creator -
In the last Mai-Otome omake, the characters were literally fighting over who should have the lead role in the show's direct-to-video sequel.
Source: Hostile Show Takeover -
Knowledge that all four of the core characters on Seinfeld are based on real people can lead one to view the early episodes of the show (when the correspondence was the most direct) in a new light.
Source: Aluminum Christmas Trees
Cite this Source
Lead and Direct. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/direct/lead
Direct & Lead. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/direct/lead>.
Lead or Direct. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/direct/lead.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "direct" and "lead" have occurred on timeline