directive

An official instruction telling people what they must do.

• Staff must follow the new directive.
• The government issued a directive on water use.
• Have all departments received the directive to reduce spending?

How to use it: directive to do something (Staff received a directive to report all accidents.); directive on something (The ministry issued a directive on food safety.)

Similar words: instruction, order

Common phrases: issue a directive, government directive, safety directive

Giving instructions or guidance about what someone should do.

• Her teaching style is very directive.
• The manager took a directive approach to the task.
• Some clients prefer a more directive therapist.

Similar words: guiding, instructive

Opposites: nondirective

Common phrases: directive approach, directive leadership, directive style