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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
Peter then guided me to a sparsely furnished sitting room for my royal audience. Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025 Still, formerly head coach of Reims, joined Lens on a three-year contract last summer and guided them to an eighth-place finish in Ligue 1 this campaign. Colin Millar, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Noun
This beginner’s guide to installing Linux Mint walks you through the entire process. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025 Epic Universe survival guide: What to pack for the new park Old-school essentials have increased importance at Universal’s new theme park. Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for guide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guide
Verb
  • Roundabout Theatre Company showed Kander clapping in gratitude in a clip from the event shared on their Instagram. Lopez overhauled her appearance before attending the invite-only afterparty at Bryant Park Grill in New York City.
    Latoya Gayle, People.com, 20 May 2025
  • In 1956, a survey of over 2,000 professors showed that 61% had been contacted by the FBI; 40% worried that students might misrepresent their politics; and about a quarter would not express their views for fear of the government.
    Time, Time, 20 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
  • Over half of the meteorology positions the weather service is trying to fill are for lead meteorologist or more senior positions, including five meteorologists who supervise the forecast offices.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • 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
  • However, despite the recent optimism, there’s one key problem that might catch investors off guard.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • With El Camino Real’s boys team winning the City Section Open Division championship on Saturday after an upset over No. 1-seeded Venice, Lee has won City titles coaching El Camino Real’s boys, girls and beach volleyball teams, the Triple Crown of volleyball coaching.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
  • This is Kelly’s first time coaching in the NFL since he was fired as the San Francisco 49ers’ coach in 2016.
    Tashan Reed, New York Times, 19 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
  • The world’s best reeled off 17 points in a row against Gauff to lead 4-1 in the first set, but the second proved a classic battle of willpower with the American going 5-3 up before her opponent finally broke at the fifth time of asking.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • Regardless, companies like The Image have a vision for what the next chapter of AI could look like—AI assistants that are more than tools, but proactive digital companions.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Republic Records, Manic Phase Productions, Live Nation and CAA were all involved in the visual companion to the pop star’s most recent studio album of the same name, which Tesfaye added to his repertoire for his ongoing After Hours Til Dawn global tour.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Guide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guide. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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