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

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shepherd

2 of 2

noun

as in pastor

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Dissimilar Words

as in shepherdess

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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

Part comedy, part drama, generously part entertainment industry farce, the series proved to be such a smash in its native country that Netflix bought the show in 2015, eventually helping shepherd it to four seasons. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 24 Aug. 2026 Writer and executive producer Wauters has spent nearly two decades shepherding the project to the screen. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026

Noun

Koda is taking over for Lazar, a German shepherd who retired in April. — Marissa Yelenik, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2026 Many of the experiences are suitable for older children, from riding to learning how to look after sheep for the day, accompanied by a local shepherd. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shepherd

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shepherd

Verb

Only one of those new managers has guided his team to first place.

— Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Visible blue light, a light-guiding brush head and a matching PAP toothpaste are designed as one system, rather than a brush that leaves whitening to a second product used later.

— Matt Emma, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of guide

Noun

Nigerian pastor William Kumuyi, whose Global Crusades have taken his ministry to countries across several continents, sees those qualities as a wider feature of African Christianity.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Last October, 18 members of the Zion Church in China, including its founder, pastor Ezra Jin, were arrested in one of China’s largest crackdowns on a single church in decades.

— Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 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

Fleury has since embarked on a coaching journey of more than 20 years, including stops at Sacred Heart as a defensive coordinator and Towson as a special teams coordinator.

— Andrew Destin, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
That was one of the most compelling draws for McDaniel, the chance to work with a quarterback who can make every throw, and to coach with Jim Harbaugh, who has had success at every stop.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 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

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
Rather than escape, the sheepherder accepts his death.

— Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026

Definition of sheepherder

Verb

Citrin came up with the Andy Wins Trial Process, which is a litigation methodology meant to train and mentor younger attorneys at his firm.

— Matt Emma, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
Reiner, who died in December, won for guest actor in a comedy series for his appearance as Albert Schnurr, a consultant who mentored line cook Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson), on the FX show’s fourth season.

— Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 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

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Sheol

shepherd

shepherded

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“Shepherd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shepherd. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of shepherd

verb

noun

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