learning 1 of 2

noun

ˈlər-niŋ How to pronounce learning (audio)
Definition of learningnext
as in education
the understanding and information gained from being educated the learning that you get from books is just as important as the experience you get from life

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

learning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of learn
1
as in mastering
to acquire complete knowledge, understanding, or skill in after months of trying, he finally learned the dance steps

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discovering
to come to an awareness of the directors have since learned that they should examine the company's financial reports a little more closely

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in finding
to come upon after searching, study, or effort the police were astonished when they learned the identity of the students who had vandalized the school

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in studying
to commit to memory he learned the words to the song while performing karaoke

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun learning differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of learning are erudition, knowledge, and scholarship. While all these words mean "what is or can be known by an individual or by humankind," learning applies to knowledge acquired especially through formal, often advanced, schooling.

a book that demonstrates vast learning

Where would erudition be a reasonable alternative to learning?

The words erudition and learning are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, erudition strongly implies the acquiring of profound, recondite, or bookish learning.

an erudition unusual even in a scholar

In what contexts can knowledge take the place of learning?

The words knowledge and learning can be used in similar contexts, but knowledge applies to facts or ideas acquired by study, investigation, observation, or experience.

rich in the knowledge of human nature

When could scholarship be used to replace learning?

While the synonyms scholarship and learning are close in meaning, scholarship implies the possession of learning characteristic of the advanced scholar in a specialized field of study or investigation.

a work of first-rate literary scholarship

How does the noun learning differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of learning are erudition, knowledge, and scholarship. While all these words mean "what is or can be known by an individual or by humankind," learning applies to knowledge acquired especially through formal, often advanced, schooling.

a book that demonstrates vast learning

Where would erudition be a reasonable alternative to learning?

The words erudition and learning are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, erudition strongly implies the acquiring of profound, recondite, or bookish learning.

an erudition unusual even in a scholar

In what contexts can knowledge take the place of learning?

The words knowledge and learning can be used in similar contexts, but knowledge applies to facts or ideas acquired by study, investigation, observation, or experience.

rich in the knowledge of human nature

When could scholarship be used to replace learning?

While the synonyms scholarship and learning are close in meaning, scholarship implies the possession of learning characteristic of the advanced scholar in a specialized field of study or investigation.

a work of first-rate literary scholarship

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 learning
Noun
The governor and legislative leaders have proposed policies to bolster basic learning in public schools. —Editorial, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026 Another 400 are in virtual learning. —Steve Karnowski, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
Her team’s machine-learning algorithm trained on the data would let investigators using a mass spectrometer, which is less expensive and much easier to use than a DNA sequencer, reliably match a new chemical profile to an insect species in less than five minutes. —Rohini Subrahmanyam, Scientific American, 10 Mar. 2026 So retailers and the stewards of public lands (whether that’s the city or the nonprofits that often manage parks) are learning from each other. —Rachel Kraus, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for learning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for learning
  1. education
  2. mastering
  3. discovering
  4. finding
  5. studying
  6. knowledge
  7. getting
  8. realizing
Noun
  • Across public service, business, education, health care and even sports, being a leader is in some ways harder than ever.
    — Editorial, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
  • But these groups have been denied basic essential services, including health care, education and social support, the report states.
    — STEFANIE DAZIO, Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of education
Verb
  • Hepburn was known for her distinct voice and cadence, which is something Collins will have to focus on mastering.
    — Sarah Sotoodeh , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026
  • They are credited with mastering the art of wood-grilling.
    — Gail Ciampa, The Providence Journal, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of mastering
Verb
  • Head to Wimberley Glassworks As Tim de Jong recounts, discovering Wimberley was just one of life’s many kismet moments.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
  • And because Earth's primary natural satellite is considered to have been integral to the development of life on Earth, discovering the frequency of such events may shine a light on the possibility of life elsewhere in the Milky Way.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of discovering
Verb
  • Throughout the fourth quarter, the Spartans (32-7) kept finding open players with near-perfect execution on offense.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Back home, the men had experienced difficulties finding farming jobs—or any jobs at all.
    — Boyce Upholt, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of finding
Verb
  • Mainly the library, studying hundreds and thousands of celebrities and public figures.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The alignment and studying what some of the programs are doing around us, especially peer programs, the level of investment.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of studying
Noun
  • Something could have obscured critical knowledge.
    — Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Longevity literacy runs short among American adults, the survey found, and that knowledge gap has dire implications for our retirement.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of knowledge
Verb
  • This alternating and reciprocal motion is not just about getting you from point A to point B.
    — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
  • So a little less than half of the time in between the Bolt ending production and today was spent just getting everything set up in the factory and getting that line going again.
    — Joel Feder, The Drive, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of getting
Verb
  • The moment has been so baked into America's cultural cake that Tea Party Republicans parroted the phrase, not realizing that the film is a satire of sheep mentality and the man who authored it (screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky) was a political lefty.
    — Devan Coggan, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Being the mom of a teen in the spring means realizing that seemingly overnight, your kids have outgrown their entire wardrobe.
    — Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of realizing

Browse Nearby Words

learners
learning
learns
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Cite this Entry

“Learning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/learning. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on learning

Nglish: Translation of learning for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about learning

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