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

Before that induction, Kuechly is being shepherded from one event to another this week — touring the hall of fame, participating in autograph signings and going to the Panthers’ hall of fame exhibition game against Arizona Thursday night. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2026 Hermann Bücher, chairman of the AEG board of directors, took a personal interest in the project, helping shepherd it to completion. — IEEE Spectrum, 2 Aug. 2026

Noun

And so the demonization of the wolf was imbued with religious overtones, drawing from biblical metaphors of God as shepherd to his Christian sheep, and the wolf as false prophet. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 How To Prevent Cabbage Worms Weeds like wild mustard, shepherd’s purse, and peppergrass are another source of food for cabbage worms, so keep the garden weed-free. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shepherd

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shepherd

Verb

Surrogacy agreements are most often private, and there are few federal standards guiding the practice, Ziegler said.

— Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Since vintage base ball league teams agree to abide by the same rules used in 1858, only 37 rules are applied to the sport, as compared to today’s numerous regulations guiding the players of today’s baseball games.

— Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of guide

Noun

Jones represents Deacon Charles McClendon and the faction of the church that filed a lawsuit last week seeking the widow's removal as interim pastor.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2026
Jacobita Cortes, a United Methodist pastor in Chicago, said that fear has changed the rhythms of her community.

— Maria Santana, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 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

Hawaii's Timmy Chang and Troy's Gerad Parker move up two spots from the bottom tier after bounceback seasons, and they are joined by six second-year head coaches new to the list.

— Chris Vannini, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Someone who doesn't own a car at all might be coached about how to save for one.

— Andrea Hsu, NPR, 17 Aug. 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

Rukeyser admired Woolf and mentored young Black writers, including Alice Walker, so the connections between Rukeyser, Woolf, and Solomon are rich.

— Anne E. Fernald, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
His mother and father are elite CrossFitters and he’s being mentored by alum and former Utah quarterback Cameron Rising.

— Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 19 Aug. 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

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“Shepherd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shepherd. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of shepherd

verb

noun

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