engineer 1 of 2

engineer

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb engineer contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of engineer are guide, lead, pilot, and steer. While all these words mean "to direct in a course or show the way to be followed," 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 guide instead of engineer?

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

guided the scouts through the cave

When is lead a more appropriate choice than engineer?

The words lead and engineer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control and in order.

led his team to victory

In what contexts can pilot take the place of engineer?

While in some cases nearly identical to engineer, pilot suggests guidance over a dangerous or complicated course.

piloted the bill through the Senate

When can steer be used instead of engineer?

Although the words steer and engineer have much in common, 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 engineer
Noun
Demo videos showed the program operating as a full-stack engineer, completing multi-step assignments with minimal intervention. Hugh Son, CNBC, 11 July 2025 The team works with Swiss Side for their wheels, a company founded by former Formula 1 engineers. Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
That added millions of dollars to their construction costs, since the flood projects needed to be engineered to handle more water. Lauren Sommer, NPR, 10 July 2025 This experiment in engineering a star earned diminishing returns, and as Mansfield’s screen career waned in the 1960s, her image became more albatross than asset. Mayukh Sen, The Atlantic, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for engineer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for engineer
Noun
  • Very few American architects, past or present, can be considered household names, but Frank Lloyd Wright is certainly one of them.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 July 2025
  • The firm works extensively in Miami and New York and has deep connections to talented collaborators, including architects, landscape designers, and contractors.
    Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Trump ratcheted up tariffs on Canada as the two sides negotiate a trade deal.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 July 2025
  • In a world where AI agents will negotiate contracts, manage assets, and execute decisions, this kind of integration isn’t a novelty.
    Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Even a congressional candidate has alleged that humans manipulated the weather behind the Fourth of July weekend floods in Texas, which left at least 120 people dead and more than 170 still missing.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 12 July 2025
  • Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to run malicious code or access other parts of your system by manipulating memory.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Horowitz spent decades arranging for Sondheim’s archives to come to the Library of Congress.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025
  • The controversy comes at a time the United States is trying to arrange a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Engineer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/engineer. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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