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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
Breaking with a purpose, this daughter of Justify immediately assumed command and guided the eleven-horse field up the hill of the only European style course in the United States. Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025 Gia Love, who first started the cookout five years ago in Bed-Stuy’s Herbert Von King Park, continues to be a guiding force behind the day’s celebrations. Essence, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
Here's your step-by-step guide to cleaning oak cabinets safely and correctly so your beautiful kitchen stays the heartbeat of your home and the hub for entertaining. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025 Each booking receives a private safari guide and vehicle at no additional cost. Ian Proctor, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for guide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guide
Verb
  • For Tyler, the performance marked his return to the awards show stage after retiring from touring due to vocal injury.
    Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The season-starting installment showed the duo arriving in London only to find a single living person remaining in the form of Stephen Merchant’s Julian.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The military, led by an officer known only as the Major (Mark Hamill, the right amount of hammy), remains in control and supervises the Walk.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The complainant also said parents needed to supervise and teach their children how to use equipment safely.
    Gillian Stawiszynski, The Enquirer, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • This will mark the first time LL Cool J, 57, is steering the ship solo.
    Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • That’s before, in recent years, the Canadian government steered dedicated funding to support First Nations creative talent.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Her challengers have highlighted these controversies as evidence the city is due for a changing of the guard.
    Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The castle itself is an enemy in its own right, shifting and breaking around the slayers to throw them off guard and keep them apart.
    David Opie, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • On taking the job last year, Enzo Maresca knew that his say in transfers at Stamford Bridge would be limited and that his main task was to concentrate on coaching the team.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Employers must adapt by offering non-hierarchical paths and coaching to work effectively with this future workforce, which will comprise 74% of the global workforce by 2030.
    Cynthia Pong, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Kansas City Election Board, which oversees voting within Kansas City limits, will receive about $900,000 from the general fund in the Jackson County budget about three weeks before the election, Ealom and KCEB Republican Director Shawn Kieffer said.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Those cuts, included laying off more than half the workers at the Institute of Education Sciences, IES, the arm of the department charged with measuring student achievement and overseeing and processing the data that comes from the tests students take.
    Sequoia Carrillo, NPR, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Kirsten Obstacles and my first realisations about society's stereotypical attitudes toward motherhood, being a mother, and being an artist and mother quickly led me to take action.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Cox said there was no information leading authorities to believe there was a second person involved.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Team-mates Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean-Clair Todibo and Mohammed Kudus, who joined rivals Tottenham Hotspur for £55m, were close companions during Summerville’s rehab.
    Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The outdoor competition, which is organized by World Athletics, is often seen as a companion event to the Olympics, bringing together the very best track and field athletes in the world.
    Cory Mull, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Guide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guide. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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