What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Direct vs Command - What's the difference?

direct | command |

As verbs the difference between direct and command

is that direct is to manage, control, steer while command is to order, give orders; to compel or direct with authority.

As an adjective direct

is straight, constant, without interruption.

As an adverb direct

is directly.

As a noun command is

an order to do something.

direct

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Straight, constant, without interruption.
  • Straight; not crooked, oblique, or circuitous; leading by the short or shortest way to a point or end.
  • the most direct route between two buildings
  • Straightforward; sincere.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Be even and direct with me.
  • Immediate; express; plain; unambiguous.
  • * John Locke
  • He nowhere, that I know, says it in direct words.
  • * Hallam
  • a direct and avowed interference with elections
  • In the line of descent; not collateral.
  • a descendant in the direct line
  • (astronomy) In the direction of the general planetary motion, or from west to east; in the order of the signs; not retrograde; said of the motion of a celestial body.
  • Antonyms

    * indirect

    Derived terms

    * direct action * direct current * direct flight * direct initiative * direct object * direct quote

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • Directly.
  • * 2009 , Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall , Fourth Estate 2010, p. 346:
  • Presumably Mary is to carry messages that she, Anne, is too delicate to convey direct .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To manage, control, steer.
  • to direct the affairs of a nation or the movements of an army
  • To aim (something) at (something else).
  • They directed their fire towards the men on the wall.
    He directed his question to the room in general.
  • To point out or show to (somebody) the right course or way; to guide, as by pointing out the way.
  • He directed me to the left-hand road.
  • * Lubbock
  • the next points to which I will direct your attention
  • To point out to with authority; to instruct as a superior; to order.
  • She directed them to leave immediately.
  • * Shakespeare
  • I'll first direct my men what they shall do.
  • (dated) To put a direction or address upon; to mark with the name and residence of the person to whom anything is sent.
  • to direct a letter

    Anagrams

    * * ----

    command

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An order to do something.
  • I was given a command to cease shooting.
  • The right or authority to order, control or dispose of; the right to be obeyed or to compel obedience.
  • to have command of an army
  • power of control, direction or disposal; mastery.
  • he had command of the situation
    England has long held command of the sea
    a good command of language
  • A position of chief authority; a position involving the right or power to order or control.
  • General Smith was placed in command .
  • The act of commanding; exercise or authority of influence.
  • Command cannot be otherwise than savage, for it implies an appeal to force, should force be needful.'' (''H. Spencer , Social Statics, p. 180)
  • (military) A body or troops, or any naval or military force, under the control of a particular officer; by extension, any object or body in someone's charge.
  • * 1899 ,
  • I asked myself what I was to do there, now my boat was lost. As a matter of fact, I had plenty to do in fishing my command out of the river.
  • Dominating situation; range or control or oversight; extent of view or outlook.
  • (computing) A directive to a computer program acting as an interpreter of some kind, in order to perform a specific task.
  • (baseball) The degree of control a pitcher has over his pitches.
  • He's got good command tonight.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To order, give orders; to compel or direct with authority.
  • The soldier was commanded to cease firing.
    The king commanded his servant to bring him dinner.
  • * Francis Bacon
  • We are commanded' to forgive our enemies, but you never read that we are ' commanded to forgive our friends.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Go to your mistress: / Say, I command her come to me.
  • To have or exercise supreme power, control or authority over, especially military; to have under direction or control.
  • to command an army or a ship
  • * Macaulay
  • Monmouth commanded the English auxiliaries.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Such aid as I can spare you shall command .
  • To require with authority; to demand, order, enjoin.
  • he commanded silence
    If thou be the son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (Mat. IV. 3.)
  • * 2013 , Louise Taylor, English talent gets left behind as Premier League keeps importing'' (in ''The Guardian , 20 August 2013)[http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/aug/19/english-talent-premier-league-importing]
  • The reasons for this growing disconnect are myriad and complex but the situation is exacerbated by the reality that those English players who do smash through our game's "glass ceiling" command radically inflated transfer fees.
  • to dominate through ability, resources, position etc.; to overlook.
  • Bridges commanded by a fortified house. (Motley.)
  • To exact, compel or secure by influence; to deserve, claim.
  • A good magistrate commands the respect and affections of the people.
    Justice commands the respect and affections of the people.
    The best goods command the best price.
    This job commands a salary of £30,000.
  • To hold, to control the use of.
  • The fort commanded the bay.
  • * Motley
  • bridges commanded by a fortified house
  • * Shakespeare
  • Up to the eastern tower, / Whose height commands as subject all the vale.
  • * Addison
  • One side commands a view of the finest garden.
  • (archaic) To have a view, as from a superior position.
  • * Milton
  • Far and wide his eye commands .
  • (obsolete) To direct to come; to bestow.
  • * Bible, Leviticus xxv. 21
  • I will command my blessing upon you.

    Synonyms

    * (give an order) decree, order

    Derived terms

    * chain of command * commandable * command economy * commandeer * commander * commandery * command guidance * commanding * command key * command language * command line * commandment * command module * command performance * command post * high command * second in command * self-command * trains command * your wish is my command

    References

    * *

    Statistics

    * English control verbs