Synonyms of pupil

pupil

noun

ˈpyü-pəl 

1

as in student

one who attends a school

generally there are 20 pupils in each class

Synonyms & Similar Words

• student
• scholar
• freshman
• reader
• schoolchild
• sophomore
• schoolboy
• undergraduate
• schoolmate
• junior
• schoolfellow
• schoolgirl
• day student
• postgraduate
• kindergartner
• coed
• collegian
• exchange student
• studier
• upperclassman
• undergrad
• high schooler
• preppy
• underclassman
• middler
• middle schooler
• senior

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

• adherent
• disciple
• follower
• student
• partisan
• acolyte
• apostle
• supporter
• votary
• devotee
• missionary
• scholar
• soldier
• admirer
• liege man
• convert
• protégé
• epigone
• votarist
• advocate
• fan
• loyalist
• faithful
• champion
• worshipper
• minion
• proselytizer
• ideologist
• sectarian
• enthusiast
• satellite
• cultist
• zealot
• henchman
• idolater
• ideologue
• camp follower
• sycophant
• lackey
• backer
• stooge
• toady
• hanger-on
• flunky
• apparatchik
• lickspittle
• yes-man
• myrmidon

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• leader
• traitor
• renegade
• defector
• coryphaeus
• apostate
• turncoat

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pupil

In each social-commentary-teetering-on-horror episode, Nanno is a pupil at a different school, picture perfect and scanning the room for whatever secrets — an abusive teacher, an absurd hierarchical system, petty jealousy — demand to be revealed. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

History and science lessons can use role play to help pupils examine events or decisions from different perspectives. — Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

His long white oval scleras and perfect-circle black pupils, sometimes open and sometimes closed, are always inexplicably expressive—managing to seem happy, sad, scared, sleepy, shifty, angry, eager, alarmed, mischievous, or murderous. — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026

Teacher earnings depend on how much that teacher decides to charge per pupil and the number of students who sign up. — Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2026