teach

Definition of teachnext

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of teach are discipline, educate, instruct, school, and train. While all these words mean "to cause to acquire knowledge or skill," teach applies to any manner of imparting information or skill so that others may learn.

taught us a lot about our planet

When can discipline be used instead of teach?

The meanings of discipline and teach largely overlap; however, discipline implies training in habits of order and precision.

a disciplined mind

When is educate a more appropriate choice than teach?

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

more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person

When could instruct be used to replace teach?

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

instructs raw recruits in military drill

Where would school be a reasonable alternative to teach?

In some situations, the words school and teach are roughly equivalent. However, school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master.

schooled the horse in five gaits

When is it sensible to use train instead of teach?

The words train and teach are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 teach But experts worry there may be repercussions to this trend and encourage parents to find other ways to teach kids financial responsibility and taking care of themselves. Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 7 Feb. 2026 His phone background is a picture of Brock Purdy and he’s been trying to teach the others the rules of American football. Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026 The person then says his parents taught him to respect those who defend their country. Imelda García, Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026 The Chicago Public Library is teaching Puerto Rican history through the music and videos Bad Bunny thanks to a collaboration between the superstar and a professor. Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for teach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for teach
educate
Verb
  • SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
    Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Years of disinvestment, inconsistent arts funding and bureaucratic contracting delays have hollowed out the robust infrastructure that allows these artists to educate fellow New Yorkers.
    Kimberly Olsen, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Teach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/teach. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on teach

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