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guide

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noun

as in guard
one that accompanies another for protection, guidance, or as a courtesy followed our guide through the dangerous mountain trails

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb guide contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of guide are engineer, lead, pilot, and steer. While all these words mean "to direct in a course or show the way to be followed," guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers.

guided the scouts through the cave

Where would engineer be a reasonable alternative to guide?

The synonyms engineer and guide are sometimes interchangeable, but engineer implies finding ways to avoid or overcome difficulties in achieving an end or carrying out a plan.

engineered his son's election to the governorship

When is it sensible to use lead instead of guide?

Although the words lead and guide have much in common, lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control and in order.

led his team to victory

When is pilot a more appropriate choice than guide?

In some situations, the words pilot and guide are roughly equivalent. However, pilot suggests guidance over a dangerous or complicated course.

piloted the bill through the Senate

When can steer be used instead of guide?

While in some cases nearly identical to guide, steer implies an ability to keep to a course and stresses the capacity of maneuvering correctly.

steered the ship through a narrow channel

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of guide
Verb
This season, however, started with one win from eight games and FC were languishing in the bottom four until Mark Beesley, formerly of Warrington Town, was appointed as manager and has guided them to safety. Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025 The 26-year-old quarterback helped guide his NFL team to victory in the 2025 Super Bowl back in February. Michael Nied, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
Consider this your one-stop guide for all things 2025 NFL Draft. Jim Reineking, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025 That’s the best introduction, and step-by-step guide, to an almost overwhelming array of artwork by Asawa, who spent much of her adult life in San Francisco. Robert Taylor, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for guide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guide
Verb
  • Monday's filing showed the investigations began April 1 and the tariffs would be imposed under the authority of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which grants the president such power to protect national security.
    John Bacon, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Video surveillance of the incident shows that the suspect climbed over a fence before breaking into the governor’s home through the piano room windows and throwing in an incendiary device, according to the affidavit.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But, because the government would need time to craft new rules and infrastructure, the court would temporarily supervise the detention of minors.
    Jack Herrera, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Holmes argues the church failed to supervise Lorch and, worse yet, retained him, thus enabling Lorch to allegedly inflict even more harms.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Trump has steered the White House toward a rapprochement with the Kremlin, monitored with apprehension by most of the U.S.' allies and many domestic lawmakers.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
  • But those launches are usually accompanied by airspace and maritime warning notices to ensure pilots and sailors steer clear of the test.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • His termination caught employers and unions off guard — coming weeks after the labor contracts covering some 55,000 unionized grocery workers in California had expired — and threw a wrench in negotiations, said Kathy Finn, president of UFCW Local 770.
    Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Right guard: The Colts lost their starting right guard, Will Fries, to the Minnesota Vikings in free agency, and his absence raises serious questions about Indianapolis’ plans to replace him.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • For all of the optimism generated this offseason, the team assembled by Schoen and coached by Brian Daboll went 3-14 last season.
    Dan Duggan, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Maureen Maher: And to the allegation from the Jason side of the family that they were coached by Molly?
    Maureen Maher, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The judge overseeing the trial found last year that Google has a monopoly in online search and related advertising.
    Jody Godoy, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Pietro Parolin The current secretary of state for the Holy See, Parolin is an experienced Italian diplomat who has helped oversee the Vatican's internal affairs but also worked on behalf of the Catholic Church around the world in countries from Venezuela to Vietnam.
    Willem Marx, NPR, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Kendrick Lamar leads the pack with 10 total nominations in eight categories.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The health secretary also hired David Geier, a figure previously criticized for treating autistic children with puberty-blocking drugs, to lead a federal study on the causes of autism.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The All Stars 10 cast will also appear on companion episodes of Untucked, which returns to the streaming network alongside the new season.
    Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Claire, a 27-year-old woman from Oregon, took to TikTok to reveal what had happened to her four-legged feline companion Tutti.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Guide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guide. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

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