guide 1 of 2

verb

Definition of guidenext
1
as in to show
to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed the pastry chef guided her through the creation of the wedding cake, showing her how to ice the layers, fashion the elaborate decorations, and assemble the whole shebang

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to supervise
to look after and make decisions about thought the new superintendent would guide the school system well

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front would be happy to guide you folks to the historic part of town

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

guide

2 of 2

noun

ˈgīd How to pronounce guide (audio)
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
Bullock and Kidman reprise their roles as midnight margarita-sipping witches for the sequel, now guiding the next generation (played by new cast members Joey King and Maisie Williams) through the complications of making magic. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026 Ancient Greek roads had wheel ruts to guide carts over steep or slippery terrain. — George C. Lee Ii, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
The team can arrange for adrenaline junkies to heli-ski on a glacier, fight to bring a king salmon ashore, kayak on remote riverbeds, and more, all with the help of expert guides. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026 But that’s a difficult case to make, given that the Gospels are more or less a guide to empathy. — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guide
  1. show
  2. supervise
  3. steer
  4. guard
  5. accompany
  6. oversee
  7. lead
  8. companion
Verb
  • Booking information from Clark County Detention Center in Nevada shows Hughes in custody with no bail, with a hearing before a judge scheduled for Thursday morning.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The arrest comes just over 24 hours after the NYPD released surveillance footage on Monday showing Guzman Soto slowly walking through the lobby of his mother’s apartment building wheeling a small suitcase.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of show
Verb
  • While not directly involved in controlling the system, humans give Spike rules of engagement all the while, supervising the entire system during operation.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Weerasethakul supervised the 4K restorations, which include remastered and remixed audio and new key art for each film.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of supervise
Verb
  • A lot of marquee names from the last hiring cycle are just now settling into their new digs, so some of these once-proud programs might have to find their next captain to steer the ship from some unlikely places.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Even last season, Moyes headed into the campaign with the immediate aim of quickly steering the side away from another scrap at the wrong end of the table.
    — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of steer
Noun
  • Patterson, who turns 27 on Tuesday, has experience at guard and center, and the 49ers needed a backup at both spots considering Toth’s lingering concussion symptoms.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • So the first-year guard had to wait around and trust that his new team would figure out a way to get him in the door.
    — Tony East, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of guard
Verb
  • Gunn wrote in his post, accompanied by two photographs with the crew.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The title track’s accompanying video, directed by Gordon von Steiner and co-starring Nicole Kidman, also gives a glimpse at the scale of Sivan’s latest visual world.
    — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of accompany
Verb
  • The agreement had been offered last year and accepted by the official who oversees the Pentagon's Guantanamo war court, only to be revoked last August by then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin amid criticism of the deal from Republican lawmakers.
    — Steve Gorman, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Malone joined OpenAI in 2025 to help oversee its data-center buildout, including work connected to the company’s Stargate infrastructure plans.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of oversee
Verb
  • The secretary insisted he is focused on leading the War Department.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Qatar, one of the world’s leading producers of LNG, is trying to find some way to keep its export routes open, through diplomacy, finding new customers, and taking rare opportunities to get their product through Hormuz.
    — Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of lead
Noun
  • Work to me has been the best companion, the best therapy, the greatest joy.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Senate Bill 1119, also authored by Padilla, would require companion chatbot operators to evaluate the design of their products for any potential harm on children and conduct safety audits.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of companion

Phrases Containing guide

Browse Nearby Words

guidance
guide
guidebook
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Guide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guide. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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