steer

1
as in to guide
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front the man in the train station was able to steer us in the right direction

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to pilot
to operate or control the course of first needed to learn how to steer her personal watercraft before going out on the crowded lake

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb steer contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of steer are engineer, guide, lead, and pilot. While all these words mean "to direct in a course or show the way to be followed," steer implies an ability to keep to a course and stresses the capacity of maneuvering correctly.

steered the ship through a narrow channel

When is engineer a more appropriate choice than steer?

Although the words engineer and steer have much in common, 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

In what contexts can guide take the place of steer?

While the synonyms guide and steer are close in meaning, guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers.

guided the scouts through the cave

Where would lead be a reasonable alternative to steer?

The synonyms lead and steer are sometimes interchangeable, but lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control and in order.

led his team to victory

When can pilot be used instead of steer?

The words pilot and steer can be used in similar contexts, but pilot suggests guidance over a dangerous or complicated course.

piloted the bill through the Senate

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 steer In this scene, Alike has just returned from a rock show with Bina, a girl from church who her mother has been pushing her to become friends with, in the hopes of steering her away from lesbianism. James Factora, Them., 26 Sep. 2025 No Breaks also will feature guests dropping by to share their real-life stories, and audiences will be able to chime in in the chat to steer the conversation. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025 The same passion that packed James’ shows is fueling opportunities for newcomers willing to make the leap, and the industry is now steering clients south with the understanding that the demand will meet them there. Alex Ashley, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025 Jia steered the conversation back to the big picture. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for steer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steer
Verb
  • Young guided the offense on a touchdown-scoring drive to begin the matchup, but his effectiveness waned as the Patriots piled on points.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2025
  • The seven-time Grammy winner has long been embraced by fans for pushing boundaries and using her voice to advocate for human rights — something the star says has been a guiding light for her.
    Melody Chiu, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Mickey piloted the boat to the cliffs, dropped anchor, and the four of them swam to shore.
    David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
  • While currently in its piloting phase in select states, Sheth noted that this rollout will be nationwide, with an expansion into a major European market next on the horizon.
    Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Today, Elanco stands as one of the leading animal health providers in the world, with more than 9,000 employees globally and more than 200 brands sold for pets and farm animals.
    Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Assistant Chief Bryan Kuriger, who leads the department’s Improvement and Accountability Bureau, has already begun laying that groundwork, said LMPD Deputy Chief Emily McKinley, who also marked one year in her role this week.
    Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • For Farley, who marks his fifth anniversary as CEO on Wednesday, there have been industry-wide problems to deal with, as well as Ford-specific issues that the company is still in the process of navigating.
    Michael Wayland, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Moody has been dedicating her practice to helping clients navigate the AI space and counsels nearly a dozen generative voice and audio AI companies.
    Claudia Rosenbaum, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • During the time period some of those grants were awarded, Roberts had the power to direct where some of those taxpayer funds went as an IEDC executive vice president.
    Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 26 Sep. 2025
  • There, they were directed to a nearby home where a man was found not breathing just inside the front door.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • If your social media account is hijacked, scammers can use it to trick your friends, family or followers, spreading fraud even further under your name.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2025
  • But this past weekend, users noticed the title was secretly installing malware on their PCs that could hijack cryptocurrency wallets.
    Senior Reporter, PC Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Francesca and Maple, along with their mom, accompanied Bateman to the premiere of Black Rabbit at the Toronto International Film Festival, where the family posed on the red carpet together.
    Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Both novels take on the spiritual hollowness that can accompany a life built on material aspirations.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Less than a year after the Michigan State Board of Education selected Michael Rice to helm the Michigan Department of Education, the school year was cut short, courtesy of a worldwide pandemic.
    Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Swift has also directed many of her own music videos and expressed interest in helming a feature.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Steer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steer. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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