study 1 of 2

noun

ˈstə-dē How to pronounce study (audio)
Definition of studynext
1
as in investigation
a systematic search for the truth or facts about something conducted a study to determine the sleep needs of adolescents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in daydreaming
the state of being lost in thought found her staring at the fire in a deep study

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in consideration
a careful weighing of the reasons for or against something the idea is under study by the city council

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

study

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to research
to use the mind to acquire knowledge you'll have to study hard and learn all about the Revolutionary War in order to pass the history test

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2
as in to learn
to commit to memory having carefully studied the document, he could repeat what it said exactly

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to debate
to give serious and careful thought to scientists who study the origin of the universe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb study differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of study are consider, contemplate, and weigh. While all these words mean "to think about in order to arrive at a judgment or decision," study implies sustained purposeful concentration and attention to details and minutiae.

study the plan closely

When might consider be a better fit than study?

The meanings of consider and study largely overlap; however, consider may suggest giving thought to in order to reach a suitable conclusion, opinion, or decision.

refused even to consider my proposal

When would contemplate be a good substitute for study?

The synonyms contemplate and study are sometimes interchangeable, but contemplate stresses focusing one's thoughts on something but does not imply coming to a conclusion or decision.

contemplate the consequences of refusing

When is weigh a more appropriate choice than study?

Although the words weigh and study have much in common, weigh implies attempting to reach the truth or arrive at a decision by balancing conflicting claims or evidence.

weigh the pros and cons of the case

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 study
Noun
Earlier studies found some contamination, which prompted the comprehensive investigation, city officials have said. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026 The new study suggests that short bursts of intense exercise may create the same kind of unpleasant or feared bodily sensations, Vinall says. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Hicks graduated from the seminary in 1985 before studying philosophy at Loyola University Chicago. —Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026 Trisha Amboree, an assistant professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, who studies cervical cancer screening, sees potential in the new method. —Christina Szalinski, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for study
Recent Examples of Synonyms for study
  1. investigation
  2. daydreaming
  3. consideration
  4. research
  5. learn
  6. debate
  7. examination
  8. trance
Noun
  • The investigation resulted in an unnamed enforcement action, according to CBP.
    — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Several people in European power circles are facing inquiries or investigations, while others have stepped down from various professional roles.
    — Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of investigation
Noun
  • Filmmaking is blind instinct, petty calculations, smooth generalship, daydreaming, pig-headedness, grace, bluff, risk.
    — Susan Sontag, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The colorful flowers are perfect for a photo-op or casual daydreaming.
    — Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Definition of daydreaming
Noun
  • In June 2023, the court held that race-conscious admissions programs violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, effectively curtailing the consideration of race in colleges nationwide.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Senate Bill 1277 would cut text limiting what counts as an ADU, essentially allowing detached ADUs with the same consideration as apartments inside a home.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of consideration
Verb
  • BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Exhibitions are researched, developed, and reviewed over extended periods, often involving multiple scholarly perspectives.
    — William Jones, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of research
Verb
  • Meanwhile, senior leaders at Arizona State University were quietly hosting 30 leaders from Korean technical colleges to discuss how the United States might learn from their success in developing an AI-ready workforce.
    — David Ignatius, Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Researchers also learned that these 7- to 10-pound creatures, which are not much larger than a house cat, are impressively agile and travel about seven miles a day in extremely rugged territory.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of learn
Verb
  • The Florida House of Representatives is debating legislation that would require local governments to allow single-family homeowners to build accessory dwelling units — commonly known as efficiencies or granny flats — on their properties.
    — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Join Richard Sher’s panel with Vatz, Catalina Byrd, Jimmy Mathis and Barry Gogel debating the continuing feud between Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and State’s Attorney Ivan Bates.
    — Bill Wachsberger, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of debate
Noun
  • For Conan O’Brien, an old hand whose podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend is a big player in the field, witty banter and appropriately leading queries come naturally; O’Brien also has plenty of pals on, but has a knack for turning their back-and-forth into a deeper examination of their friendship.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
  • An examination of the computer rankings of the Southern Section’s 516 teams indicates that the Open Division could be a 12-team group this season.
    — Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of examination
Noun
  • The floating objects, trance communications, phantom touches, miraculous healings, and poltergeist writings that followed in the five decades after Mona’s death were attributed to her and a pantheon of other notable spirits, including Black Elk.
    — Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
  • In other words, the age-old trance of acceptance has broken, and there are suddenly too many entrepreneurs capturing disaffected audiences by accusing legacy institutions of corruption and cowardice.
    — Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of trance

Phrases Containing study

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studs
study
studying
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Cite this Entry

“Study.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/study. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of study for Spanish Speakers

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