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

Relevance

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

Synonym Chooser

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 By Monday, as the storm steers away from the Caribbean and toward Bermuda, it’s now forecast to hit Category 4 with 145 mph sustained winds. Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025 However, those who adopt the top-gun role are much more likely to steer their coaching company with clarity, confidence and the kind of conviction clients crave. Doaa K. Darwish, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 Hayek steered the Swatch Group through vision and sheer force of personality. Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2025 Any inappropriate questions are immediately steered back to mixology. John Kell, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for steer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steer
Verb
  • Clinically, its approach begins with comprehensive lab testing and detailed symptom reviews to guide individualized prescriptions.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Parents can also use the document to guide how the property is used, such as laying out how many holiday weekends each child gets, who has the right to redecorate or whether the home can be rented out or used for weddings.
    Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The company had piloted the service in major cities across the U.S., including Phoenix, Orlando, and Kansas City.
    Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
  • While able to fly autonomously, the Chaparral can also be piloted remotely when necessary to comply with government regulations.
    Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • This could lead the electrolyte fluid inside to evaporate, which will result in corrosion and weaken it.
    Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
  • The United States leads the larger economies in GDP per capita.
    Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Retirement account laws can be notoriously difficult to navigate at the best of times, but for the millions of former U.S. persons living abroad, understanding the tax implications of U.S. retirement accounts is critical.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations.
    Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The bill also proposed that large signs directing slower traffic not to travel in the farthest left lane be placed on major freeways.
    Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The executive order also includes a clause directing Duffy to reevaluate, amend, or rescind a slate of launch safety regulations written during the first Trump administration.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Scammers can intercept security codes and log in to your account by hijacking your phone number or infecting your device.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The person the suspect hijacked the car from is among those killed.
    Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Her grandfather, Jim Coleman, and uncle, Jacob, accompany her on guitar and mandolin.
    Frank Langfitt, NPR, 16 Aug. 2025
  • With Brian Cashman accompanying the Yankees to St. Louis, the Bombers beat the Cardinals, 4-3, on Friday night.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • What's even more remarkable is that many of Arizona's most promising wineries are helmed by individuals whose previous careers seem worlds away from winemaking.
    Jill Barth, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
  • This successful Selma-to-Montgomery March, helmed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., led to the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
    Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Steer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steer. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on steer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!