teach

verb

ˈtēch How to pronounce teach (audio)
Definition of teachnext
as in to educate
to cause to acquire knowledge or skill in some field a master gardener taught us about the basics of organic gardening

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Some common synonyms of teach are discipline, educate, instruct, school, and train. While all these words mean "to cause to acquire knowledge or skill," teach applies to any manner of imparting information or skill so that others may learn.

taught us a lot about our planet

When can discipline be used instead of teach?

The meanings of discipline and teach largely overlap; however, discipline implies training in habits of order and precision.

a disciplined mind

When is educate a more appropriate choice than teach?

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

more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person

When could instruct be used to replace teach?

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

instructs raw recruits in military drill

Where would school be a reasonable alternative to teach?

In some situations, the words school and teach are roughly equivalent. However, school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master.

schooled the horse in five gaits

When is it sensible to use train instead of teach?

The words train and teach are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 teach It cannot be taught by way of a 12-week training program. —Big Think, 16 Sep. 2025 Can Lindsay teach the Katsanevas to value nature over luxury? —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025 And then my own body started teaching me the same lesson. —Bydr. Marita Kinney, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 The longtime friends and neighbors decided to begin teaching lessons of their own not long after. —Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for teach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for teach
educate
Verb
  • He was inspired to start the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness following his surgeries and the nonprofit's aim was to educate the public about organ and tissue donation.
    — Stephanie Kaloi, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Instead of outsourcing all financial decisions to an advisor or ignoring them out of fear, entrepreneurs are taking small, intentional steps to educate themselves.
    — Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of educate

Browse Nearby Words

tea cake
teach
teachable
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Cite this Entry

“Teach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/teach. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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