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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Example Sentences
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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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Belichick, who won two Super Bowl rings as an assistant before coaching the Patriots to six titles, fell short of the Hall of Fame’s 50-vote threshold.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Havertz could start ahead of them both down the final stretch of the title race.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The show hails from Robert and Michelle King, who will write, executive produce, and co-showrun the series under their King Size Productions banner.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
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This is yet other banner year for this snowfall machine, which has already surpassed 300-inches before then end of January, which is extraordinary.—
Larry Olmsted,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guide word.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guide%20word. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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