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 guide word
The Standing Rock movement’s guiding words, Mni Wiconi (water is life) meant more than clean water advocacy.
—
Natasha Lennard, Esquire, 19 Sep. 2017
Natasha Lennard, Esquire, 19 Sep. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guide word
Noun
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Deliver Me from Nowhere, based on the non-fiction book of the same title by author Warren Zanes.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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Purdy, rendered ineffective by a torn ligament in his right elbow on the opening drive against the Eagles in a disastrous NFC title game loss three seasons ago, completed all three passes for 74 yards and capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Demarcus Robinson.—
Dan Gelston,
Twin Cities,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Participants filled the streets in the area — some holding candles or anti-ICE banners, others tying flowers to nearby street poles.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
8 Jan. 2026
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To generate the report, Dunnhumby analyzed customer and financial data for the 81 largest supermarket, discount, superstore, club and online banners in the nation, including perceptions of retailers' value.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guide word.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guide%20word. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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