1
as in student
one who attends a school
generally there are 20 pupils in each class
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Educators want smaller class sizes for fourth graders and up, while the district wants to increase classroom pupil counts for fourth, fifth and sixth grades.
—
Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
Set in a school for students with dangerous powers, where teachers feast on their pupils upon graduation, this novel centers on a group of classmates who must team up to save themselves from a brutal end.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
With Danny held hostage, Maria’s life begins to flourish and that star pupil, Pauline, inches ever-closer to her favorite docent as sympathies slip away and oscillate between characters, the film making quick work of manipulating mounting emotions.
—Holly Jones, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
As a schoolgirl, Muriel was revered by staff and pupils alike.
—Frances Wilson
september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pupil
Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
Set in a school for students with dangerous powers, where teachers feast on their pupils upon graduation, this novel centers on a group of classmates who must team up to save themselves from a brutal end.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
With Danny held hostage, Maria’s life begins to flourish and that star pupil, Pauline, inches ever-closer to her favorite docent as sympathies slip away and oscillate between characters, the film making quick work of manipulating mounting emotions.
—Holly Jones, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
As a schoolgirl, Muriel was revered by staff and pupils alike.
—Frances Wilson
september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pupil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pupil
Noun
-
The Policy Forum’s analysis found that educators in Wisconsin’s small districts were more likely to exit their jobs, as well as those working in urban districts and districts with mostly low-income students or students of color.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Numbers provided by Cincinnati Public Schools show that the school district had 4,326 homeless students last year, representing a 77% increase from a decade prior, despite total student enrollment increasing by only 538 students over the same period of time.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
To watch Lipe-Smith’s Caroline cuddle in bed watching TV on her iPad, or bopping around to JoJo Siwa, or pensively finishing a Popsicle while sitting beside her grandmother at a museum, is to have the sheer malevolence of our current administration and its adherents thrown into sharp relief.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
-
But together a picture emerges of a long-standing movement eager to stop anyone who attacks a principle or personality its adherents hold dear.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In recent months, as despotism intensified an increasing number of writers, scholars, and thinkers were declared foreign agents, and their books were taken off the shelves.—
Nina Khrushcheva,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Dozens of press freedom groups and more than 100 leading writers, journalists and scholars called for Guevara’s release from ICE detention.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His disciples picked up the mantle, even though those same forces wanted to kill them, too.—
Amy Stephens,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Domènec Sugrañes, one of Gaudí’s disciples, was named the site’s next architect.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Another client of Meinadier’s is Zach Lugo, a skateboarder with 10 million TikTok followers who gained followers for his comedic content.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Lee, one of the few female religious leaders of the 18th century, and her followers were known for worshipping through ecstatic song and movement.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pupil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pupil. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share