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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
Sarmento is now leading a drone development project at the University along with Jermey Crowley, who directs the school’s Autonomous Aerial Systems Office. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 25 Sep. 2025 Jakab said that these institutional presentations mark a milestone for the event’s program for both the students and the larger fashion industry, as the events promoted multidisciplinary collaboration and emphasized stronger ties between the schools and professional spaces. Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
And then comes Sunday’s Pisces lunar eclipse in your partnership zone — the same zone Saturn’s been schooling you in. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 31 Aug. 2025 Initially funded by private philanthropy and later the Gates Foundation, the program helped participants resume schooling or gain employment, while allowing researchers to detect HIV infections within days. David Cox, NPR, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for school
Recent Examples of Synonyms for school
Noun
  • Barring gender transition procedures from military insurance coverage, barring transgender women from participating in service academies’ women sports programs and requiring everyone to use restrooms based on their reproductive system.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Arsenal also paid tribute to their former academy player, who joined the team at the age of 14.
    Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The cubs were taught essential survival skills—including hunting and avoiding humans—to get ready to be reintroduced to the wild.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • City officials argued that yoga — even when taught for free or by donation — is a commercial activity and not protected by the First Amendment.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The seminary also sold the Carroll Park Apartments student housing to the city.
    Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Following the 2022 raid, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a forfeiture motion for almost $150,000, claiming the church and its Bible seminary swindled hundreds of military members out of more than $22 million.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • At first, the state regulators tried various strategies to educate customers about the addictive nature of gambling, as well as the financial risks.
    Karen Brown, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Local officials, as well as nonprofit and community groups, are also making efforts to educate residents about their rights and keep them informed about the imminent federal operation.
    Connor Greene, Time, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“School.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/school. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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