I would like to use Merriam-Webster pronunciation symbols in Open office writer. I assume that I have to find a font that has these special symbols and install it on the computer and then open office or for that matter ms office would find that and add the pronunciation symbols to the special character insert feature. The problem is how do I find those symbols? I have searched around but have not found anything yet.

Have a look here http://www.phon.ucl.ac.uk/home/wells/fonts.htm and, also interesting, here http://www.phon.ucl.ac.uk/home/wells/ipa-unicode.htm

Hope this helps.