point the way

idiom

: to show the way to go in order to get somewhere

She pointed the way to the exit.

—often used figuratively

We led good lives, and we must thank our parents for pointing the way.

Their work pointed the way for future scientific research.

Examples of point the way in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

And the good news is that, in both red and blue states, there are models designed to keep citizens well in the short term and live longer, healthier lives in the long run—that point the way forward and through this time of uncertainty and tumult. —

Dr. Ashwin Vasan, TIME, 29 Jan. 2025 Maybe this year’s Oscars will point the way toward whatever survival means now. —

Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025 The Paris Olympics, which were a significant win for NBCU and parent Comcast, point the way for the Milan Cortina Winter Games in 2026. —

Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2025 Knowing that better sleep is possible, and understanding the basis, could point the way to interventions to optimize sleep, enabling more people to live longer, healthier lives. —

Marla Broadfoot, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for point the way

Cite this Entry

Style

“Point the way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/point%20the%20way. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

Copy Citation