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 As the educator shortage worsens, lawmakers have authorized billions to flow into an unaccountable voucher program devoid of meaningful safeguards, even as Florida ranks 41st in per-pupil spending. — Andrew Spar, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 Their heads are broad and coppery in color, and their eyes have vertical, catlike pupils. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 19 Aug. 2026 Per-pupil funding Peggy Nicholson is a supervising attorney at Duke University’s Children’s Law Clinic, where law students and attorneys often represent families in cases involving access to EC services. — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2026 Our eyes collect light through our pupils, tiny openings only a few millimeters in diameter, and a lens inside our eyes focuses the light onto an optic nerve. — Elijah Tan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 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 couple's home is near the former San Francisco Art Institute, where prominent sculptor Ralph Stackpole taught for decades — leading Gittelsohn to believe the piece may have a connection to him or one of his students.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Your stories are a great reminder of what sports teaches high school students about life.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of student
Noun
  • Breitbart has also published an article skewering Hamilton for suggesting that adherents of other religions might get to Heaven.
    — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Its adherents believe that the relentless pursuit of maximizing individual freedom and rights has come at the cost of community, religion, and traditional norms.
    — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of adherent
Noun
  • Pamela Herd and Donald Moynihan, two of the foremost scholars of American public administration, have identified three key types of administrative costs the government imposes on citizens.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
  • However, some scholars have noted that the author, speaker, historical circumstances, and date of composition are difficult to determine since the psalm lacks references to any historical events in ancient Israel.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of scholar
Noun
  • The show lures corporate sponsors to the marketing mecca, where brands hope to convert experience seekers into true believers, eventually disciples.
    — Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • But Govindananda says a chatbot could never provide what a guru — whether living or not — can give to the disciple.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of disciple
Noun
  • Today, Richards has 790,000 followers on Instagram, a Sunday Times bestselling book (The Anti-Inflammatory 30-day Reset), and wellness community called Found.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Pierre’s Instagram business account for her viral Japanese milk-bread cinnamon rolls boasts over 153,000 followers.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pupil

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pupil

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