teach

Synonym Chooser

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 All are taught at HAPA, either by university professors or by teachers who meet university requirements. Mia Thurow, jsonline.com, 8 July 2025 Susanna MacManus was teaching Spanish at Occidental College in 1997 when the family business came calling. Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025 Prior to receiving any money, all participants will go through a series of eight financial literacy classes that will teach skills like budgeting, investing, and long-term financial planning. P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025 But those early days, taking classes during the day and working at night, taught her an invaluable life lesson. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for teach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for teach
educate
Verb
  • Lin was educated in China and Europe, but lived in the U.S. for three decades.
    Emily Feng, NPR, 5 July 2025
  • In 2021, the city created a civilian community liaison position to connect police with citizens and educate the public.
    Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 4 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Teach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/teach. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on teach

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