school 1 of 2

Definition of schoolnext

school

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word school different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of school are discipline, educate, instruct, teach, and train. While all these words mean "to cause to acquire knowledge or skill," school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master.

schooled the horse in five gaits

When is discipline a more appropriate choice than school?

While in some cases nearly identical to school, discipline implies training in habits of order and precision.

a disciplined mind

In what contexts can educate take the place of school?

While the synonyms educate and school are close in meaning, educate implies development of the mind.

more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person

When might instruct be a better fit than school?

The synonyms instruct and school are sometimes interchangeable, but instruct suggests methodical or formal teaching.

instructs raw recruits in military drill

When is it sensible to use teach instead of school?

In some situations, the words teach and school are roughly equivalent. However, teach applies to any manner of imparting information or skill so that others may learn.

taught us a lot about our planet

When can train be used instead of school?

The words train and school can be used in similar contexts, but train stresses instruction and drill with a specific end in view.

trained foreign pilots to operate the new aircraft

How is the word school different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of school are discipline, educate, instruct, teach, and train. While all these words mean "to cause to acquire knowledge or skill," school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master.

schooled the horse in five gaits

When is discipline a more appropriate choice than school?

While in some cases nearly identical to school, discipline implies training in habits of order and precision.

a disciplined mind

In what contexts can educate take the place of school?

While the synonyms educate and school are close in meaning, educate implies development of the mind.

more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person

When might instruct be a better fit than school?

The synonyms instruct and school are sometimes interchangeable, but instruct suggests methodical or formal teaching.

instructs raw recruits in military drill

When is it sensible to use teach instead of school?

In some situations, the words teach and school are roughly equivalent. However, teach applies to any manner of imparting information or skill so that others may learn.

taught us a lot about our planet

When can train be used instead of school?

The words train and school can be used in similar contexts, but train stresses instruction and drill with a specific end in view.

trained foreign pilots to operate the new aircraft

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 school
Noun
Miami Columbus seeks to tie the state record with its fifth consecutive big-school title. Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2026 Poway, which beat archrival Rancho Bernardo for the school’s first San Diego Section championship since 1992, gets a home game in the Division 3 tournament. John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
Half a blip later, once the contestant has correctly named that tune, the audience becomes Coyne, the humble game show host hoping to be schooled in the mysterious tower of song. Chris Richards, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026 The administration’s cavalier approach to the law prompted at least one judge to school its lawyers in proper procedure. Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for school
Recent Examples of Synonyms for school
Noun
  • The film won San Sebastián’s Golden Shell in September, and was the consensus choice for the Spanish film academy, who members vote on the Goyas.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 1 Mar. 2026
  • If no one ever does, a youth academy is pointless.
    Philipp Lahm, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Back at Catholic High, Davis redesigned her chemistry unit with a focus on teaching chemistry through the lens of water treatment, helping students connect core concepts to real-world applications.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Leger-Walker challenged the UCLA dance team to teach a halftime routine within 24 hours for a video on her YouTube channel, where she was joined by Jaquez.
    Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Arafi serves on both the Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts and has spent years overseeing Iran's influential network of seminaries in Qom.
    Imtiaz Tyab, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
  • The other half is being written in the seminaries of Qom and the offices of the Guardian Council, where senior jurists are quietly running their own calculations about risk and reward.
    Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Plus, the Chicago Herpetological Society will be educating attendees on wildlife conservation efforts while the Fox Valley Electric Auto Association showcases the benefits of driving an electric vehicle, the city’s news release said.
    R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
  • SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
    Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 2 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“School.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/school. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on school

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster