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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
This article aims to guide newcomers and lapsed bounty hunters through all the Metroid games in order, both chronologically and by release date. Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 1 May 2025 The company has built a reputation for educational initiatives, offering webinars and guides on subjects like real estate due diligence and SDIRA compliance requirements. Tyler Shepherd, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Noun
Vogue Shopping The insider’s guide to what to shop and how to wear it. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 2 May 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, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for guide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guide
Verb
  • Some 30 MiG 15s with North Korean and Chinese markings, though crewed by Soviet pilots, showed their superiority against an American force several times larger.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • The new pope is registered to vote in the Chicago suburbs, and voting records obtained by CBS News show he's voted in several general elections — along with both Democratic and Republican primaries.
    May 8, CBS News, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • In 2023, Florida ended a more than two-decade experiment that saw child protective investigators employed and supervised by sheriff’s offices in seven counties, including Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco.
    Christopher O’Donnell, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025
  • Shamkhani said that if a deal were to take place, Iran would not make nuclear weapons, would reduce stockpiles of enriched uranium to a level only needed for civilian use, and would allow international inspectors to supervise the process.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • At that point, the chief engineer had also woken up and went to the control room to try and maneuver the ship while the skipper attempted to steer from the fly bridge.
    Greta Bjornson, People.com, 15 May 2025
  • Staying grounded in their business mission helps foster a sense of resiliency and will steer their business through uncertain times.
    AllBusiness, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • However, despite the recent optimism, there’s one key problem that might catch investors off guard.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • Heat mock drafts with 20th pick With the draft order formally set ahead of the draft combine, a look at names various mock drafts have linked to the Heat at No. 20: ESPN: Liam McNeeley, UConn, guard, freshman.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The decision came shortly after it was confirmed Popovich would relinquish his head coaching duties and transition to the team's full-time president of basketball operations.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025
  • Popovich had not coached since suffering a mild stroke on Nov. 2.
    Sam Settleman, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • Air traffic control staffing issues and equipment failures have made national headlines in recent weeks due to a series of telecommunications outages at a facility that oversees air traffic at the Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Although teams will oversee reliability, security and governance, there will be a strong emphasis on innovation because this will be viewed as a business-critical activity.
    Claus Jepsen, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • However, access is a steep and crumbling concrete staircase leading down to the river and boat tours.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
  • Donald Trump does not need to lead and govern this way.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • The Doctor rounds the corner with Ruby — still an active companion at this point, fresh off of meeting Maestro and the Beatles — and explains that the green goo is essentially vomit that identifies the future prey of a Shreek.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 3 May 2025
  • The new app will integrate with Meta’s AI glasses and merge with the existing companion app, the company said.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Guide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guide. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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