guide 1 of 2

verb

Definition of guidenext
1
as in to show
to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed the pastry chef guided her through the creation of the wedding cake, showing her how to ice the layers, fashion the elaborate decorations, and assemble the whole shebang

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to supervise
to look after and make decisions about thought the new superintendent would guide the school system well

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front would be happy to guide you folks to the historic part of town

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

guide

2 of 2

noun

ˈgīd How to pronounce guide (audio)
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
Mamdani, 34, is a charismatic socialist who has limited experience in the private sector and seems utterly unconcerned about his guiding philosophy’s long track record of creating misery. —Editorial, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025 Williams returned to his alma mater and guided UNC to three NCAA titles (2005, 2009, 2017) and concluded with a career record of 903-264. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond. —Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025 Welcome to Climate Point, your weekly guide to stories about climate change, energy, the environment and science. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for guide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guide
  1. show
  2. supervise
  3. steer
  4. guard
  5. accompany
  6. oversee
  7. lead
  8. companion
Verb
  • Jail records show Gatica faces charges of DUI causing death or bodily injury and hit-and-run causing death or bodily injury.
    — Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 10 Nov. 2025
  • From the 15th century down to the present day, the Church has constructed an identity and a past at odds with what the records show—expanding the authority and power of the papacy in ways that have striking broader political implications.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
Definition of show
Verb
  • The boards for the district develop and approve policies for the schools; hire, supervise and evaluate the superintendent; and approve budgets set by the superintendent.
    — The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Laurie Orlando, who has supervised talent recruitment and strategy at CBS News for nearly a decade, is leaving the Paramount Skydance operation — the latest of the news division’s senior executives to exit as the parent company overhauls its operations under an iconoclastic new editor in chief.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
Definition of supervise
Verb
  • The lack of vetoes signals Crowley's agreement that the board's changes strike the right note of protecting services for vulnerable residents while steering the county toward a more fiscally responsible future.
    — Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
  • As was the case a year ago, Fox heavied up on the Dallas Cowboys in the early half of the season, while steering clear of Jerry Jones’ mercurial bunch in the latter portion.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Definition of steer
Noun
  • Atlanta played much better in a 1-point loss to the Patriots on the road last Sunday, but there are major concerns on the O-line after starting guards Matthew Bergeron and Chris Lindstrom had to leave the Pats game early.
    — Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The last time San Diego State opened a men’s basketball season against Long Beach State, in 2010, Kawhi Leonard and the Aztecs trailed by one deep into the second half and needed three 3s by backup guard James Rahon to grind out a nervy road win.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
Definition of guard
Verb
  • Even before today’s announcement, though, Medicare could cover the drugs for other conditions that often accompany being overweight, such as diabetes and sleep apnea.
    — Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Each dish can be paired with Carbone Riviera’s impressive wine list, focused in on Champagne, white Burgundy, and coastal Italian vino accompanied by reds from Tuscany, Burgundy and Piedmont.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of accompany
Verb
  • Now, after Slaven failed to appear for a new hearing start date, the official overseeing the case has accepted the allegations against Slaven as true.
    — Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 11 Nov. 2025
  • All of her work and coverage decisions are overseen solely by Journal Sentinel editors.
    — Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 11 Nov. 2025
Definition of oversee
Verb
  • The work, led by Professor Zijian Li, confirms that the synergistic effect of K+ and C3N4 co-intercalation significantly reduces the electrostatic interaction between Zn2+ and the [VOn] layer, improves the specific capacity and cycling stability.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
  • More on the science behind the portfolio diet A few small studies led by Jenkins in 2003, including the trial that introduced the diet to the world, found an association between following the portfolio diet and a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
    — Renée Onque, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of lead
Noun
  • The minimalist digital helm, controlled by smartphone app, has details like wireless charging stations beside beautifully stitched helm and companion seats.
    — Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Pine Ridge, South Dakota — A four-pack of rez dogs trotted toward the lone grocery store, greeting and tailing human companions in hopes of a spare scrap.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Definition of companion

Phrases Containing guide

Browse Nearby Words

guidance
guide
guidebook
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Guide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guide. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

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