The term 'direct opposites' refers to two things that are completely opposite of each other. The crossword solutions for this term are 'antipodes' (9 letters) and 'inverses' (8 letters). Antipodes are two points on the Earth that are diametrically opposite, meaning they are on exact opposite sides of the planet. Inverses are two numbers, equations, or functions that are related in such a way that one is the reverse of the other.