school 1 of 2

noun

ˈskül How to pronounce school (audio)
Definition of schoolnext
as in academy
a place or establishment for teaching and learning one of the first schools in the country to admit girls as students

Synonyms & Similar Words

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school

2 of 2

verb

as in to teach
to cause to acquire knowledge or skill in some field schooled their children in proper etiquette for formal occasions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word school different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of school are discipline, educate, instruct, teach, and train. While all these words mean "to cause to acquire knowledge or skill," school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master.

schooled the horse in five gaits

When is discipline a more appropriate choice than school?

While in some cases nearly identical to school, discipline implies training in habits of order and precision.

a disciplined mind

In what contexts can educate take the place of school?

While the synonyms educate and school are close in meaning, educate implies development of the mind.

more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person

When might instruct be a better fit than school?

The synonyms instruct and school are sometimes interchangeable, but instruct suggests methodical or formal teaching.

instructs raw recruits in military drill

When is it sensible to use teach instead of school?

In some situations, the words teach and school are roughly equivalent. However, teach applies to any manner of imparting information or skill so that others may learn.

taught us a lot about our planet

When can train be used instead of school?

The words train and school can be used in similar contexts, but train stresses instruction and drill with a specific end in view.

trained foreign pilots to operate the new aircraft

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 school
Noun
The next day, just five miles south of the Barrow County Courthouse, students will return to Apalachee High School for the first day of the new school year. — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 July 2026 Any arrangement where schools pay male athletes all or most of the money could raise Title IX, Title VII and Equal Pay Act worries. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 July 2026
Verb
Whoever is landing in Texas are going to be absolutely schooled by some of the best barbecue Texas-style restaurants anywhere in the world. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 24 June 2026 Baltimore County's Board of Education named the former Anne Arundel County schools Chief Operating Officer (COO) as its next superintendent, officials announced Monday. — Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for school
Recent Examples of Synonyms for school
  1. academy
  2. teach
  3. seminary
  4. educate
Noun
  • The order also prohibits the academy from restricting Bakken from sharing his personal viewpoints with students.
    — James LaPorta, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Cesar Palacios, another Madrid academy graduate, could boost numbers if he is reunited with Arbeloa, but Fulham desperately lack depth.
    — Luke Bosher, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of academy
Verb
  • She's taught in Harvard University’s Division of Continuing Education and authored the bestselling books Captivate and Cues in 18+ languages.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Sharing vegetables, limiting sugary beverages and eating lean protein will teach children over time what healthy meals consist of and these behaviors can have lasting benefits as children age and make food choices on their own.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of teach
Noun
  • Built in 1829 as a seminary, the Colonial-style edifice went on to become a country club, then faculty housing for nearby Bennington College, and later a private home, remaining in the same family’s care for some six decades.
    — Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 13 July 2026
  • Muhammad Taqi al-Hakim, a senior scholar at the Najaf seminary, led the funeral prayers at the Shrine of Imam Ali, the Prophet Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
Definition of seminary
Verb
  • This strategy aims to educate and register Hispanic voters in over 40 states through 2028, prioritizing Florida, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • Some even pay regulatory fines rather than change, often because decision-makers have not been educated about the available options and long-term economics.
    — Zev Laine, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of educate

Phrases Containing school

Browse Nearby Words

scholastic
school
school bag
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Cite this Entry

“School.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/school. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on school

Nglish: Translation of school for Spanish Speakers

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