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guidepost

guidepost

3 4.7
A rule or idea that helps people choose the right action
  • noun
  • /ˈɡaɪdˌpoʊst/
translation icon : principio orientador
  • The increasing velocity of social change meant the loss of familiar guideposts and social stability.
  • serve as a guidepost
  • provide guideposts
  • learning guideposts

And there are actual guideposts for commanding trust, and we can go into that in another session.

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Examples

  • CMFES has embraced customer service, professional development, and performance reliability as guideposts on the path of excellence.

    Blog text (17)
  • Without a solid "core" of behavioral support in the classroom, students do not have the guideposts necessary to learn, practice, and develop desirable skills.

    Academic text (2014)
  • Law is supposed to let people know where they stand; it is supposed to provide guideposts for right and wrong.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The ratings are designed as guideposts to help parents start their school search.

    Blog text (16)
  • In the absence of established guideposts, our policies will be determined by impulse and image.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Today, America's civil justice system is not providing these guideposts.

    Academic text (2004)
  • What are the moral and ethical guideposts that are going to dictate how we navigate this landfill?

  • "Loesser's songs," Burrows explained, "were the guideposts for the libretto."

    Academic text (2009)
  • Participants also discussed the CELS "Issues-Based Framework for Bio 101," which gives guideposts toward biological literacy for an educated citizenry.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The values of honesty and respect serve as essential guideposts for making ethical decisions.

Synonyms

rule
vsguidepost
1.0

An instruction or law that tells people what to do

is less formal and more a guiding principle than a strict order
guideline
vsguidepost
344 3.1

A general rule that helps you decide what to do

is more about principles that show which behavior is appropriate
guidance
vsguidepost
248 2.1

Help or advice that someone gives to decide what to do

is more a principle for choosing proper behaviour rather than general help
direction
vsguidepost
124 1.0

Advice that tells someone what to do next

focuses more on enduring principles that determine appropriate behavior
pointer
vsguidepost
52 2.8

A short helpful tip that gives advice

is a broader rule or principle that guides proper behavior rather than a tip
rule of thumb
vsguidepost
  • Informal
31 3.8

A simple practical way to do or decide things from experience that is not exact

is more formal and principle based rather than just practical experience
guide
vsguidepost
23 2.8

Something used as a model or standard for judging things

is more about giving rules for proper conduct and action

How Directive

rule
1.0
policy
2.7
principle
410 3.4
guidepost
3 4.7
guideline
344 3.1
suggestion
759 1.4

Surface Forms

guidepost singular
guideposts plural

Morphology

guidepost = guide + post (semi-transparent) = guide + post

The sense is a figurative extension from the literal compound ('guide' + 'post') to mean a principle or marker that offers guidance.

Etymology

The word guidepost also means a rule or idea that helps your choices, using the same parts guide ('to show the way') and post ('a pole'). So a guidepost in life is like a sign that points you to the right action.