Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of educate are discipline, instruct, school, teach, and train. While all these words mean "to cause to acquire knowledge or skill," educate implies development of the mind.

more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person

When might discipline be a better fit than educate?

Although the words discipline and educate have much in common, discipline implies training in habits of order and precision.

a disciplined mind

When would instruct be a good substitute for educate?

In some situations, the words instruct and educate are roughly equivalent. However, instruct suggests methodical or formal teaching.

instructs raw recruits in military drill

In what contexts can school take the place of educate?

The words school and educate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master.

schooled the horse in five gaits

Where would teach be a reasonable alternative to educate?

The synonyms teach and educate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 educate?

The meanings of train and educate largely overlap; however, train stresses instruction and drill with a specific end in view.

trained foreign pilots to operate the new aircraft

Examples 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 educate Toxic Plants in the Florida Landscape: Toxic Plants in the Florida Landscape is an informative presentation that is meant to bring awareness and educate on the dangers of ingesting or interacting with plants commonly found to be toxic in the landscape around many parts of the state. Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Dec. 2024 As the internet has made information more readily available, more patients and parents have been educating themselves about various health questions. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024 Tennessee is facing a chronic labor shortage, and many employers are calling for the state to step up its efforts to train and educate new workers. Adam Tamburin, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024 Start by educating your team on the true costs and potential returns of AI personalization. Andy Kaiser, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for educate 

Thesaurus Entries Near educate

Cite this Entry

“Educate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/educate. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on educate

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