Showed the way can be described as leading or guiding someone IN a certain direction. This term can be broken down into three crossword solutions: LED (3 letters), USHERED (7 letters), and LEDIN (5 letters). LED is an acronym for Light Emitting Diode, which is a type of semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it. USHERED is a verb meaning to guide or direct someone, often IN a formal setting. LEDIN is a combination of LED and IN, which is a preposition used to indicate movement or direction. All three of these words together describe the act of showing the way.