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

Related Words

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

After Leo’s election many experts looked to Cupich’s ministry for clues to how the new American pope would shepherd the global church. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026 Magical but not magic Through all that, Kramer emerged as just the right person to be able to shepherd and navigate this unfathomable endeavor. — Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026

Noun

Caucasian shepherd named Hades owned by Brown for security purposes. — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 On Monday morning, Pope Leo XIV presented him with a special vestment to symbolize his role as a shepherd to millions of Catholics. — Tony Aiello, CBS News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for shepherd

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shepherd

Verb

On Joseph’s team, Aaron says the Gullah Geechee people and their deftness with indigo dye are guiding the designers’ shades of blue.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 July 2026
OpenAI has said its ChatGPT program is trained to recognize signs of emotional distress, de-escalate situations, and guide users to real-life support.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 23 July 2026

Definition of guide

Noun

The pastor didn’t suggest endorsing candidates, but instead focusing on issues, like advocating for immigration reform, and using religion as a tool for community organizing.

— Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
In 1872, Harvey Johnson came to Baltimore as pastor of Union Baptist Church, located on Druid Hill Avenue.

— Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 17 July 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

Carrick played alongside Rashford and coached him under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

— Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
The fan affinity for the Georgia Bulldogs’ Kirby Smart and Georgia Tech’s Brent Key runs deeper than their success coaching the state’s leading college football programs.

— Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 20 July 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

Noun

It was said that the room contained a troubled spirit and that the parson was supposed to bless the space.

— Meredith Kile, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Among the beetle-collecting country parsons of his day, it was often assumed that the world had been created six thousand years ago and that many geological anomalies could be explained by Noah’s Flood.

— Lewis Hyde, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025

Definition of parson

Browse Nearby Words

Sheol

shepherd

shepherded

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Style

“Shepherd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shepherd. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of shepherd

verb

noun

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