teach

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 After teaching for eight years, Maggie Perkins made the difficult decision to completely change careers. Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025 After its infamous green owl mascot faked his death earlier this year, the language learning app continues its abnormal behavior and wants to teach a new subject that transcends language: chess. Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 26 Apr. 2025 More than a decade on, the So Kates have become such a fixture in Zendaya’s wardrobe that even her employers, Louis Vuitton and Valentino, have been taught to expect no less. Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025 Supervisors who focused not just on academic content, but also on teaching academic skills and demystifying academic culture, helped students feel more equipped and less alone. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for teach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for teach
Verb
  • This free forum will help educate the community on the probate process and available resources available to start estate planning efforts.
    Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Another idea pitch presented to the White House called for more funding efforts to educate women about their menstrual cycles, the newspaper reported.
    Aris Folley, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Teach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/teach. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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