1
as in students
one who attends a school
generally there are 20 pupils in each class
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adherents
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 pupils
Clutching a mysterious tool the shape of a mouse coffin, Firth’s villain tracks Daniel’s location by mentally transplanting himself into another person’s body, changing the color of their pupils to his own icy blue.
—
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Here’s the latest harrowing dispatch from the frontlines of education, as yet another higher education instructor laments that his pupils literally can’t read.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 10 June 2026
This focuses readers on the all-black uniforms of the veiled pupils, who—in a long frame at the center of the page—sit between the looming, frowning teacher on the right and Marji on the left, who stands up to explain that her uncle was executed by the Islamic regime.
—Hillary Chute, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Other footage showed a high school campus roof which had collapsed while pupils lined up outside the school’s sports field in Davao Del Sur.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
Cottonmouths have ridged scales, vertical pupils and a triangular head.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 3 June 2026
The final shot is a group photo of Diana and some fellow pupils relaxing outside in the sun against a school building.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
On May 22, 2026, UNICEF WASH Officer Ciza Nyalundja explains Ebola prevention measures to pupils at Epo‑Ville Primary School in Bunia, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
—Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Brown said what came to be known as the Local Control Funding Formula would give local educators flexibility and additional resources to design curricula that match what their pupils need to succeed, buttressed by input from local parents and civic leaders.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Here’s the latest harrowing dispatch from the frontlines of education, as yet another higher education instructor laments that his pupils literally can’t read.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 10 June 2026
This focuses readers on the all-black uniforms of the veiled pupils, who—in a long frame at the center of the page—sit between the looming, frowning teacher on the right and Marji on the left, who stands up to explain that her uncle was executed by the Islamic regime.
—Hillary Chute, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Other footage showed a high school campus roof which had collapsed while pupils lined up outside the school’s sports field in Davao Del Sur.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
Cottonmouths have ridged scales, vertical pupils and a triangular head.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 3 June 2026
The final shot is a group photo of Diana and some fellow pupils relaxing outside in the sun against a school building.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
On May 22, 2026, UNICEF WASH Officer Ciza Nyalundja explains Ebola prevention measures to pupils at Epo‑Ville Primary School in Bunia, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
—Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Brown said what came to be known as the Local Control Funding Formula would give local educators flexibility and additional resources to design curricula that match what their pupils need to succeed, buttressed by input from local parents and civic leaders.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pupils
Noun
-
This is the most recent development in a DOE investigation into the district, claiming the schools allowed male students to participate on female sports teams, use female bathrooms, and share overnight accommodations with female students based on their gender identity.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
How many of the other 11 were skydiving instructors or students of varying experience remained unclear.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Physics Universal Love Language, the second album by Syrian-Armenian-American singer Káryyn, is tuned to 432hz, a standard that is, according to new age adherents, more in line with the hum of the universe.—
Alex Robert Ross,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
-
But it’s also evolved over time and led to the formation of some religions — like Scientology, which counts many a Hollywood celebrity among its adherents — that see extraterrestrials as good or even part of a divine plan.—
Krysta Fauria,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
But according to empathy scholars like Michael Ventura, the true power of empathy resides in the reduction of self not the centering.—
Dr. Marcus Collins,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
Two centuries later, as modern scholars descend on the same house chasing a different historical puzzle, discoveries in one era echo into the other.—
Point Loma-Ob Monthly,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Chinese percussionist Xu Yang told his social media followers the form and style of the drums used on the Great Wall appeared more like a Japanese Taiko performance.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
-
Franco's new followers were quick to flood into the comment section with their suspicions that there was more to the posts than the actor was letting on.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Hamer signed up and, through her courage, charisma, and oratory, quickly drew ardent disciples and ruthless adversaries.—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
-
Josh O’Connor and Emily Blunt are his overwhelmed disciples, imbued with discomfiting powers that could be key to making contact with these otherworldly guests.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pupils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pupils. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
