as in title
either one of the words that are at the top of a page in a dictionary or similar book and that show the first and last words on the page
It is easiest to use the guide words to find the page for the word you are looking up.
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Recent Examples of Synonyms for guide word
Noun
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Johnson started all 40 games for Michigan last season, emerging as a breakout sophomore after starting just eight games as a freshman at Illinois, and capped his rise with a double‑double in the national title game under May.
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Tennis player Althea Gibson became the first Black woman to win Wimbledon, claiming the women’s singles title.
Noun
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Since the news, community members have assembled to help by making banners to hang in front of the store.
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Balloons, banners and even billboard trucks lined the avenue.
Cite this Entry
“Guide word.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guide%20word. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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