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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
Colorful signs of cows and farmers guide pumpkin patch fans to the entrance to a popular Sacramento-area farm. Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2025 Almanza guided the Bobcats to three more scores before reserves came on to finish out the game. Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
Stargazers may also want to check out our guides to the top telescope and binocular deals available in 2025. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025 Upon arrival at Santa Cruz Island, the guides provide all that’s needed to explore sea caves by kayak, plus the extraordinary opportunity to snorkel through the giant kelp forests. AFAR Media, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for guide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guide
Verb
  • SACs produced from plastic waste showed excellent performance in breaking down diverse micropollutants in water and in boosting clean-energy technologies such as batteries and fuel cells.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Records show Wauwatosa police gave Lauren Spors a ride to South 27th Street and West Ramsey Avenue, a few blocks from her mother’s house, and dropped her off.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Hoban supervised construction of the porticoes on the north and south sides of the building that Latrobe originally designed in 1807.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The children's parents were simply socializing like normal, the man wrote, not supervising the kids at all.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After his 21 goals had helped steer John Mousinho’s side to the League One title the previous season, Bishop reported for pre-season in high spirits and in peak physical shape ahead of his first campaign in the Championship.
    Tom Burrows, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Investors ought to steer clear of Beyond Meat due to weakening consumer demand for alternative meat products, analysts from Mizuho said after the stock rocketed higher earlier this week.
    Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In a 117-116 win over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden, the rookie guard from Baylor scored 34 points.
    Tony Jones, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Combined with an intense summer heat wave, the surge caught many residents off guard, said Alex Ambrose, a transportation and climate policy analyst at New Jersey Policy Perspective.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Prior to seeking political office, Tressel coached football at a number of colleges, including three stints with Ohio State, including Mangold's time at the school.
    Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The Heat directed press inquiries to the NBA’s statement while the Trail Blazers noted that Splitter would take on interim head coaching duties.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • State agencies, such as the Arkansas Department of Human Services, oversee the program and bear a portion of administrative expenses.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The National Reconnaissance Office, which oversees building and launching spy satellites, has a classified budget.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As a direct result of this, businesses end up with managers who aren’t confident in their ability to lead, and who struggle to deal with the various challenges that come with managing people, leading both employees and struggling managers to resign.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The Pima Critical Incident Team was activated after the incident with the Oro Valley Police Department assigned to lead the investigation, Adger said.
    Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Taking in the years 1956 to 1963, Through the Open Window serves as an unofficial companion to last year’s A Complete Unknown biopic.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
  • On Thursday night, meanwhile, high school student and aspiring dermatologist Mailyn Marsh, of Missouri, was named this year’s Miss Teen USA, a companion title for contestants aged 14 to 19.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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