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pupil

noun

ˈpyü-pəl How to pronounce pupil (audio)
Definition of pupilnext
1
as in student
one who attends a school generally there are 20 pupils in each class

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in adherent
one who follows the opinions or teachings of another to pupils of the philosopher Henry David Thoreau, the shores of Walden Pond are hallowed ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 pupil California’s wealthiest districts get about $2,000 per pupil from state tax dollars; in Connecticut, that number is closer to $4,000. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026 As the educator shortage worsens, lawmakers have authorized billions to flow into an unaccountable voucher program devoid of meaningful safeguards, even as Florida ranks 41st in per-pupil spending. — Andrew Spar, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 Their heads are broad and coppery in color, and their eyes have vertical, catlike pupils. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 19 Aug. 2026 Per-pupil funding Peggy Nicholson is a supervising attorney at Duke University’s Children’s Law Clinic, where law students and attorneys often represent families in cases involving access to EC services. — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pupil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pupil
  1. student
  2. adherent
  3. scholar
  4. disciple
  5. follower
Noun
  • Donna and Gregory Witte started Nova Roots earlier this year and had enrolled 56 students for either summer programming or the 2026-27 school year, according to Arkansas Department of Education records.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2026
  • From union rallies at Sacramento State to a major social media bill headed to the governor’s desk, this week brought developments that affect students, parents, homeowners and residents across the region.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of student
Noun
  • Breitbart has also published an article skewering Hamilton for suggesting that adherents of other religions might get to Heaven.
    — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Its adherents believe that the relentless pursuit of maximizing individual freedom and rights has come at the cost of community, religion, and traditional norms.
    — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of adherent
Noun
  • Activist networks and legal scholars are rehearsing doomsday scenarios, planning mass protests and advising judges on ballot seizures and ICE deployments, underscoring fears that the midterms could stress-test American democracy.
    — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Rediscovered in 1987, the painting was initially associated with Caravaggio himself before scholars settled on Cavarozzi.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of scholar
Noun
  • Jesus and his disciples encountered many instances of chaos but remained untouched by them.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The show lures corporate sponsors to the marketing mecca, where brands hope to convert experience seekers into true believers, eventually disciples.
    — Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of disciple
Noun
  • Aunty Joy, as she is affectionately called by her followers, which include people in the Australian government, is an Indigenous Australian and Senior Wurundjeri elder of the Kulin Alliance, Victoria.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • In his announcement statement, the mayor pointed to Cohen’s over 700,000 followers across social media.
    — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of follower

Browse Nearby Words

pupae
pupil
pupils
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pupil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pupil. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pupil

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pupil

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