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

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 educate Ozone Action Days is a public program designed to educate residents of Central Arkansas about harmful ground-level ozone. Harley Walls, Arkansas Online, 16 May 2025 Robots surveil the streets as police officers, educate students as teachers and deliver packages as postal employees. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025 This is a film about Russia, set in Russia, and made by a filmmaker educated there, yet it was produced by France, Germany, the Netherlands, Latvia, Romania, and Lithuania. David Katz, IndieWire, 15 May 2025 Applications open today for the three month in-person program that will include six development sessions to educate and create access and community for up to 20 mentees across creative and management tracks. Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for educate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for educate
Verb
  • The name is a riff on Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, from the X-Men, where Professor X teaches mutants, who are discriminated against by humans for being different, to control their powers.
    Sean Clancy, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025
  • One of the first lessons an old Cree taught me is something every beginner should know: When traveling (but not when hunting), break a twig on a low branch of a tree every 30 to 50 feet.
    Ted Updike, Outdoor Life, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Consider trying one of these luxurious neck-tie blouses inspired by celebrities, below.
    Nicol Natale, People.com, 15 May 2025
  • The commercial presents scenes, inspired by A’ja’s childhood, that resonate with many Black girls and women.
    Timeka Tounsel, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Educate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/educate. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on educate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!