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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
Although fashion can typecast designers, Virgil Abloh’s agility in complexity and his ability to not just build community, but also guide it, transcended that. Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 23 June 2025 Waxing, Made Simple New guests are guided every step of the way. Nia Bowers, USA Today, 23 June 2025
Noun
But Jon Baskin, who has worked seasonally at the tube and kayak rental store in downtown Golden for five years and was a raft guide for a decade, sees many on Clear Creek not wearing protective gear. John Aguilar, Denver Post, 20 June 2025 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. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for guide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guide
Verb
  • Brands are also showing interest in using LaundRE in their reshoring plans by importing garments from places like Bangladesh and Pakistan and finishing them locally in small quantities to reduce overbuying and waste.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 25 June 2025
  • While the salary cap had only increased by 5% since 2020, slides showed a 60% percent increase in signing bonuses and 42% increase in salary guarantees.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The flights will have regular communications with air traffic control towers, a wide array of sensors on board and someone supervising the plane from below. Plans for the company’s air taxis also are being tested at two other U.S. airports., Houston and Long Beach, California.
    Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025
  • Never feed or approach bears, secure all garbage, clean and store grills and fire pits properly, store any toys when not in use and make sure young children and pets are supervised when outside.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • They’re embedded just enough to carry the weight—but not enough to steer the ship.
    Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • At the same time, Wynwood Norte is seeing some of the fruits of the rezoning in the form of several low-scale, neighborhood-friendly workforce apartment buildings that are now under construction, said Miami attorney Steven Wernick, who helped steer that plan to approval.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Correction officials have blamed the rising population on the fallout from the 22-day state prison guards strike several months ago.
    Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 21 June 2025
  • The Pacers guard, who’d been playing through an ankle sprain, was sick of hearing about what Indiana had just accomplished.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • These answers don’t come from coaching techniques alone.
    Mo Khan, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • Keegan O’Toole was coached at Askren’s academy and later directly by Askren himself.
    Sofia Schwarzwalder, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • The upcoming law marks a significant shift, granting state authorities new powers to oversee and, if necessary, restrict operations if a vehicle is deemed hazardous.
    Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 20 June 2025
  • The center oversees guest services (such as ticket takers, ambassadors and ushers), security, medical and fire prevention.
    Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Fortune helped edit the autobiography of leading Black intellectual Booker T. Washington, and his civil rights organization, National Afro-American League, is considered an important predecessor to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 23 June 2025
  • Morrison leads the nation with 10 outings of six innings or longer in which he’s allowed zero or one run.
    Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • Many venues are proudly dog-friendly, ensuring that even your furry companion can walk the aisle or share in your special moments.
    Rhiannon Frater, USA Today, 23 June 2025
  • As temperatures tick up across California, pet owners could be putting their animal companions in danger.
    Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 22 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Guide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guide. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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