pupil

noun

ˈpyü-pəl How to pronounce pupil (audio)
Definition of pupilnext
1
as in student
one who attends a school generally there are 20 pupils in each class

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in adherent
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 pupil In the public sector, 70% of classrooms have more than 30 pupils per class. — Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026 Video previously posted to social media showed the Seine-Saint Denis mayor, Bally Bagayoko of the LFI, joining in with students, smiling and high-fiving pupils after a trash can was set on fire in the street. — Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Italian elementary schools normally need at least 15 pupils, but exceptions are granted to remote islands because a school’s closure can accelerate depopulation. — Lefteris Pitarakis, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026 Hinton, known as the godfather of AI, is portrayed as a saintly figure who espouses a model of growth based on truth, patience, and moderation, much to the frustration of his pupil. — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pupil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pupil
  1. student
  2. adherent
  3. scholar
  4. disciple
  5. follower
Noun
  • The demonstrators ended up on the steps of the Lincoln Park Zoo’s administrative office, where students took turns at a megaphone.
    — Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • This includes — but is not limited to — professors, scholars, research assistants, students, teachers, au pairs and camp counselors.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of student
Noun
  • Since the administration kicked off its anti-AI doomerism social media campaign, taking particular aim at EA and its adherents’ belief that AI carries a high risk of ending humanity—anti-AI sentiment seems to have grown.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026
  • When brutal rationalism is challenged, especially by traditionalists, its defenders will often justify themselves by pointing to the intelligence of its adherents.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of adherent
Noun
  • But many scholars, and the justices themselves, argue that public perception is not matched by reality.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Chinese scholars and officials regularly call for improving the benefits provided to rural residents as a means to stimulate domestic demand.
    — Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of scholar
Noun
  • Seeing the internet’s foremost disciple of glow meet the internet’s foremost purveyor of good lighting, though, feels quite satisfying—who else needs another excuse to update that Sephora cart?
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Lay disciples typically uphold the vow of brahmacharya by maintaining fidelity toward their spouse.
    — Bhakti Mamtora, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of disciple
Noun
  • Over the years, Chivayo gave away dozens of luxury cars, buses, cash and other gifts to celebrities, church leaders, sports figures, politicians and social media followers, frequently broadcasting his largesse online.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Working to help raise her two sisters, Moore became politically active in her teens, and by 1920 was a follower of Marcus Garvey.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of follower

Browse Nearby Words

pupae
pupil
pupils
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pupil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pupil. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pupil

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pupil

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