steer

1
as in to guide
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front the man in the train station was able to steer us in the right direction

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to pilot
to operate or control the course of first needed to learn how to steer her personal watercraft before going out on the crowded lake

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb steer contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of steer are engineer, guide, lead, and pilot. While all these words mean "to direct in a course or show the way to be followed," steer implies an ability to keep to a course and stresses the capacity of maneuvering correctly.

steered the ship through a narrow channel

When is engineer a more appropriate choice than steer?

Although the words engineer and steer have much in common, 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

In what contexts can guide take the place of steer?

While the synonyms guide and steer are close in meaning, guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers.

guided the scouts through the cave

Where would lead be a reasonable alternative to steer?

The synonyms lead and steer are sometimes interchangeable, but lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control and in order.

led his team to victory

When can pilot be used instead of steer?

The words pilot and steer can be used in similar contexts, but pilot suggests guidance over a dangerous or complicated course.

piloted the bill through the Senate

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 steer Low altitude trade winds steer hurricanes in a general east to west direction. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 5 Sep. 2025 But while plenty of other Disney and Nickelodeon alumni of the late ’00s and early ’10s had notably rocky transitions to adulthood in the limelight, Thomas consciously steered clear of any actions that might have alienated the Victorious audience who looked up to him. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 4 Sep. 2025 Both assignments solidified McArthur's place in NASA history as the last astronaut to physically interface with Hubble, and one of the first to steer the space agency into an era of commercial spaceflight. Josh Dinner, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2025 But the Kremlin has since learned from those early mistakes, steering its war machine to become far more effective. David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for steer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steer
Verb
  • Local outfitters like Mild to Wild Rafting, Mountain Waters Rafting, and Durango Rivertrippers & Adventure Tours guide family-friendly rafting excursions down Class II and Class III whitewater.
    Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
  • And Blanc tries to solve what happened by seeing the big picture, tuning into the spirits that are guiding things, and attuning the audience to them.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The district last year also piloted a new science curriculum from Lego Education.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The next steps identified by the team include piloting the system at an operational site and evaluating thermal storage options to provide a heat boost after sunset.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Kirsten Obstacles and my first realisations about society's stereotypical attitudes toward motherhood, being a mother, and being an artist and mother quickly led me to take action.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Cox said there was no information leading authorities to believe there was a second person involved.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As the family navigated World War I and women’s rights expanded, hemlines got shorter and jewelry less opulent.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Diplomacy, Tact & Emotional Intelligence, where leaders need to navigate the complex dynamics (both on the individual and organizational levels) which are involved in shifting from competition to collaboration—balancing assertiveness with empathy and care.
    Edyta Pacuk, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The emergency proclamation authorizes the Hawaii National Guard to assist civilian authorities and directs all state agencies to cooperate in response efforts.
    Jon Haworth, ABC News, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Mourinho’s arrival at United was a response to some of the criticisms directed at his predecessor, Louis van Gaal.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Help teams understand how devices hijack attention and become addictive coping mechanisms.
    Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Within a few days, pain had hijacked my mom’s entire identity.
    Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The economy has so far largely avoided the type of widespread job losses that often accompany a recession.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Truwitt was accompanied by her best friend, fellow former Yale swimmer Sophie Pilkinton, who had her own big win to celebrate after finishing medical school.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Earlier this summer, the Aussie band began to remove dozens of albums from Spotify following the announcement that Ek’s investment firm, Prima Materia, helmed a 600 million euro fundraising round for Helsing, a defense technology startup developing AI drones.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Glenn Martens, creative director, Diesel and Maison Margiela The affable Belgian designer rose to fashion fame thanks to his 11-year stint helming Y/Project, accruing a reputation for his experimental approach and earning a cult following for his twisted constructions.
    WWD Staff, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Steer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steer. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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