1
as in students
one who attends a school
generally there are 20 pupils in each class
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of pupils
After parents were threatened with firings and evictions, 200 pupils withdrew.
—
Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Notable pupils of these Florentine schools were Niccolò Machiavelli and Leonardo da Vinci.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
Dead Poets Society starred Hawke as one of several boarding school students under the tutelage of a sensitive new English teacher, John Keating (Williams), who imbues his pupils with a newfound appreciation for poetry.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Wilson became one of Morman’s star pupils at North Meck.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025
Most days, there are two pupils in this small classroom on the Greek island of Lemnos, with big windows and a view of the school's front courtyard.
—Sarah McCammon, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
About 52% also rate the schools poorly in giving financial assistance to students who need it, and 49% say colleges aren’t adequately developing pupils’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
And the coach and his pupils deserve blame, even if some of the calls were atrocious (the pass interference at the end of the Giants game on Riley Moss tops the list).
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2025
One by one, with sweaty palms and cracking adolescent voices, the pupils rose and read.
—Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Notable pupils of these Florentine schools were Niccolò Machiavelli and Leonardo da Vinci.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
Dead Poets Society starred Hawke as one of several boarding school students under the tutelage of a sensitive new English teacher, John Keating (Williams), who imbues his pupils with a newfound appreciation for poetry.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Wilson became one of Morman’s star pupils at North Meck.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025
Most days, there are two pupils in this small classroom on the Greek island of Lemnos, with big windows and a view of the school's front courtyard.
—Sarah McCammon, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
About 52% also rate the schools poorly in giving financial assistance to students who need it, and 49% say colleges aren’t adequately developing pupils’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
And the coach and his pupils deserve blame, even if some of the calls were atrocious (the pass interference at the end of the Giants game on Riley Moss tops the list).
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2025
One by one, with sweaty palms and cracking adolescent voices, the pupils rose and read.
—Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pupils
Noun
-
With less access to scholarships and aid, some students may elect to choose a different path of study, potentially sinking enrollment below the quotas set by the law enacted last year.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
9 Jan. 2026
-
School officials said the bus was transporting third-grade students back from a school trip to the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City when the incident occurred.—
Naveen Dhaliwal,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
To symbolize this united centrist front, adherents of The Change fly American flags that have been reconfigured to place the field of stars smack in the middle of the stripes.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Academics cite Wallace’s story as one of the catalysts behind a fringe concept that has spread among adherents to the Make America Healthy Again, or MAHA, movement and is gaining traction at the highest levels of the federal government.—
Stephanie Armour,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Rolling Stone spoke with two scholars who explain that the clips, overwhelmingly targeting Black women, play on decades-old stereotypes used to slander welfare recipients.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Multiple scholars focus on the Black and Native experiences, allowing those sides of the stories to feel like more than mere footnotes, if never truly focal.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
As her own beliefs begin to take idiosyncratic shape, Lee begins to engage a few followers.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Her followers got a better look at her spacious kitchen's wooden cabinetry and light fixtures behind them.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Several teams throughout the league have searched for disciples of the Shanahan scheme to run their offenses, while several are running versions of a defense that Fangio has perfected.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The son of a carpenter, Jesus became a rabbi, later taught disciples and performed miracles.—
Nicole Russell,
USA Today,
25 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pupils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pupils. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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