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guide

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noun

as in guard
one that accompanies another for protection, guidance, or as a courtesy followed our guide through the dangerous mountain trails

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb guide contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of guide are engineer, lead, pilot, and steer. While all these words mean "to direct in a course or show the way to be followed," guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers.

guided the scouts through the cave

Where would engineer be a reasonable alternative to guide?

The synonyms engineer and guide are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

When is it sensible to use lead instead of guide?

Although the words lead and guide have much in common, lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control and in order.

led his team to victory

When is pilot a more appropriate choice than guide?

In some situations, the words pilot and guide are roughly equivalent. However, pilot suggests guidance over a dangerous or complicated course.

piloted the bill through the Senate

When can steer be used instead of guide?

While in some cases nearly identical to guide, steer implies an ability to keep to a course and stresses the capacity of maneuvering correctly.

steered the ship through a narrow channel

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 guide
Verb
Peter then guided me to a sparsely furnished sitting room for my royal audience. Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025 Still, formerly head coach of Reims, joined Lens on a three-year contract last summer and guided them to an eighth-place finish in Ligue 1 this campaign. Colin Millar, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Noun
This beginner’s guide to installing Linux Mint walks you through the entire process. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025 Epic Universe survival guide: What to pack for the new park Old-school essentials have increased importance at Universal’s new theme park. Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for guide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guide
Verb
  • Growing up in poverty, Broadwick showed working people that the wonders of aviation weren’t only for wealthy men.
    Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2025
  • Someone whose results show elevated levels may need a biopsy to rule out cancer.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • There’s similar apprehension about the new Judicial Disciplinary Tribunal that’s meant to supervise judges in office.
    Michael Rios, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
  • Gray supervised a special housing unit at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, prosecutors said.
    Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Otherwise, Parkinson has steered clear of borrowing players from elsewhere, focusing instead on permanent signings.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2016, the plan steers the Kingdom from reliance on oil to become a global leader in such sectors as technology, entertainment and tourism.
    R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi handles the ball during a WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Arlington, Texas.
    Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
  • Nestled between Rome and Florence, Umbria is a region of farmland and timeless villages that will catch you off guard with its beauty.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • This is Kelly’s first time coaching in the NFL since he was fired as the San Francisco 49ers’ coach in 2016.
    Tashan Reed, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • With El Camino Real’s boys team winning the City Section Open Division championship on Saturday after an upset over No. 1-seeded Venice, Lee has won City titles coaching El Camino Real’s boys, girls and beach volleyball teams, the Triple Crown of volleyball coaching.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Since the election, the Trump administration has overseen a deportation plan with far greater reach to include student visa holders and immigrants in the U.S. on Temporary Protected Status.
    Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
  • Beyond investing, Clements oversees Accel’s Ignite program, bringing together CROs and revenue leaders from across the tech ecosystem.
    TrueBridge Capital, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • As adoption grows, the firms that will lead are those combining digital tools with practical insight, treating AI not as a cure-all solution, but as part of a broader strategy to improve performance, manage complexity, and build for the long run.
    Angelica Krystle Donati, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • The longtime Trump ally and budget guru worked closely with Musk on the initiative, leading efforts to cut agency regulations and pushing a controversial idea in favor of Trump’s authority to impound funds.
    Nik Popli, Time, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Republic Records, Manic Phase Productions, Live Nation and CAA were all involved in the visual companion to the pop star’s most recent studio album of the same name, which Tesfaye added to his repertoire for his ongoing After Hours Til Dawn global tour.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 17 May 2025
  • Regardless, companies like The Image have a vision for what the next chapter of AI could look like—AI assistants that are more than tools, but proactive digital companions.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Guide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guide. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.

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