He spoke without notes and inspired confidence in a hurt world because of his directness, honesty, and compassion.
Since then, no president has spoken to the American people with so much candor, directness, and vision.
Mentally, he is full of aggression, thrust, directness, essentially active, not passive.
Again and again, Huntsman took the risk of honesty and directness and was rewarded for it.
Did the very simplicity and directness of his nature baffle her?
They were not prepared for his swiftness and directness, for his attack without warning.
In their eyes were the extraordinary boldness and directness of the sea.
There is a directness of aim in virtue which gives an insight into vice.
There was something to account for this directness of leading.
It took her aback by its directness, and for a moment left her without an answer.
late 14c., from Latin directus "straight," past participle of dirigere "set straight" (see direct (v.)).
late 14c., "to write (to someone), to address," from Latin directus "straight," past participle of dirigere "set straight," from dis- "apart" (see dis-) + regere "to guide" (see regal). Cf. dress; address.
Meaning "to govern, regulate" is from c.1500; "to order, ordain" is from 1650s. Sense of "to write the destination on the outside of a letter" is from 16c. Of plays, films, etc., from 1913. Related: Directed; directing.