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school

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verb

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
This idea of reciprocity and variety in a school is so fascinating. Hans-Ulrich Obrist, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025 Call it a bonus that banning smartphones during school hours also helps kids stay off social media, bolstering their psychological health and their ability to connect with one another. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2025
Verb
Today, millions of people around the world depend on the program, including not just those on daily medications paid for by PEPFAR but also 7 million AIDS orphans whose basic needs — from schooling to food and clothing – are covered. Fatma Tanis, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025 Salmon schooled along the shore and leaped madly at nothing. Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for school 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for school
Noun
  • His focus is on the overall operation of the club from the academy to the second and first team to coordinating the club’s participation in preseason tours, Concacaf Champions Cup, Club World Cup and other events.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2025
  • While the former is a collaboration with other students from the academy, the latter — a sweet, pop rock tune — spotlights 10-year-old Sasha on vocals and 12-year-old Milan strutting the drums.
    Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Her mother Colleen, however, taught the junior guard how to play basketball.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Mix It Up: Combine edutainment with teaching traditional methods or homework that is assigned at school.
    Fiona Tapp, Parents, 3 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In his remarks, Francis said that there was already too much gayness in Catholic seminaries, using a pejorative to describe it, according to bishops who attended the conference.
    Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Some of those details, such as a claim that Greenway spent $11,000 of the seminary’s money on an espresso machine for his house, quickly became a source of sensation and outrage throughout the SBC.
    Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Three years later, Anaheim Union High School District trustees passed a resolution to sue Mexico for $50 million for the cost of educating people like me, who were the children of unauthorized immigrants.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2025
  • The office now is responsible for educating and developing strategies with the military on how to reduce civilian harm and working with allied nations on harm reduction strategies.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near school

Cite this Entry

“School.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/school. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on school

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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