SHEPHERD Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

shepherd 1 of 2

verb

Definition of shepherd

as in to guide

to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed shepherding her through the procedure of taking out a loan

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

shepherd

2 of 2

noun

as in pastor

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in shepherdess

Related Words

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 shepherd

Verb

The new ParaBros is inheriting several lucrative IP assets from the Burbank lot shepherded by De Luca and Abdy — Ocean’s Eleven, Gremlins, Gladys, Minecraft 2 and more going forward, 38 features overall, dated into 2029. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2026 The bill was championed by Cabaldon in the state Senate and shepherded through the Assembly by Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, who is listed as its co-author. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Noun

But the shepherd in turquoise ran up alongside the flock, turning them back toward the road. — Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026 In Season 3, David’s transformation from outcast shepherd to fierce warrior to chosen King is finally complete. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shepherd

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shepherd

Verb

The bank is being guided by its Indian workforce in the design of its local program.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
The mindful alignment of body and mind is the guiding maxim of the spa.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of guide

Noun

Caleb Flynn, a pastor who competed on American Idol season 12, has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for murdering his wife, Ashley Flynn, AP News reports.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Bakker was forced to resign from his empire, turning over operations to pastor and broadcaster Jerry Falwell.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of pastor

Noun

The thoughtful decor features pendant lamps inspired by traditional Rwandan headdresses, crafted by local fashion designer Joselyne Umutoniwase, and tasseled armchairs that riff on the traditional Rwandan shepherdess skirts.

— Chris Wallace, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2025
Others, such as the fictional shepherdess Marcela in Don Quixote, decided to lead a life of solitude and freedom away from both men and the confines of the convent.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 May 2025

Definition of shepherdess

Verb

Then, the Chargers have a home game against Houston — also surprisingly winless — then play at Baltimore, where the 3-1 Ravens are coached by former Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
That brings me to Preston’s coach in Portugal, who suggested prohibiting parents from coaching competitive teams.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of coach

Noun

The couple were married by a female vicar, per the Daily Mail.

— Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
Nearly every murder is solved by the end of the episode, but despite the unusual twist of having the village vicar team up with the police, the real action comes from the relationships among the characters.

— Pat Saperstein, Variety, 14 June 2026

Definition of vicar

Noun

Felipe Baca, an ambitious sheepherder from New Mexico, arrived in the area in 1862.

— Michelle Griego, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
His father was a sheepherder on Iceland’s northern coast who moved to Denmark, studied with Niels Bohr, immigrated to the United States, and worked on the Apollo missions.

— Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 29 June 2026

Definition of sheepherder

Verb

Cappelli and Wu argue that helping colleagues and mentoring new hires should be part of job descriptions and performance criteria, so those tasks don’t get pushed aside in remote work.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Gulf media has reported that the young Khaldoon was mentored by the royal family in the wake of his father's death.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of mentor

Noun

This one stars Cox himself as a mysterious and formidable old man in an undertaker’s suit and parson’s hat who wanders into an Arizona border town in 1890 to gather the names of dead Mexican laborers.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
And what does the old man who sleeps by the fire know about the dead parson?

— Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026

Definition of parson

Browse Nearby Words

Sheol

shepherd

shepherded

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Shepherd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shepherd. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of shepherd

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on shepherd

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Luddite

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes