study 1 of 2

noun

ˈstə-dē How to pronounce study (audio)
Definition of studynext
1
as in investigation
a systematic search for the truth or facts about something conducted a study to determine the sleep needs of adolescents

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2
as in daydreaming
the state of being lost in thought found her staring at the fire in a deep study

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3
as in consideration
a careful weighing of the reasons for or against something the idea is under study by the city council

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

study

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to research
to use the mind to acquire knowledge you'll have to study hard and learn all about the Revolutionary War in order to pass the history test

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2
as in to learn
to commit to memory having carefully studied the document, he could repeat what it said exactly

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to debate
to give serious and careful thought to scientists who study the origin of the universe

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb study differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of study are consider, contemplate, and weigh. While all these words mean "to think about in order to arrive at a judgment or decision," study implies sustained purposeful concentration and attention to details and minutiae.

study the plan closely

When might consider be a better fit than study?

The meanings of consider and study largely overlap; however, consider may suggest giving thought to in order to reach a suitable conclusion, opinion, or decision.

refused even to consider my proposal

When would contemplate be a good substitute for study?

The synonyms contemplate and study are sometimes interchangeable, but contemplate stresses focusing one's thoughts on something but does not imply coming to a conclusion or decision.

contemplate the consequences of refusing

When is weigh a more appropriate choice than study?

Although the words weigh and study have much in common, weigh implies attempting to reach the truth or arrive at a decision by balancing conflicting claims or evidence.

weigh the pros and cons of the case

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 study
Noun
Multiple studies have shown that the health benefits of work done by EPA outweigh the costs by more than 30 to 1. — Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025 Adults who are highly playful are also more positive about the future and more resilient in the face of challenges, according to a new study released February 9 in the journal Frontiers in Psychology. — Julianna Bragg, CNN, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
The mission will observe the sun’s hot outer atmosphere, called the corona, and study solar wind, or the energized particles that emerge in a steady stream from the sun. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025 Now, scientists are studying Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) nests to learn more about how humans are affecting the natural world. — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for study
Recent Examples of Synonyms for study
  1. consideration
  2. research
  3. learn
  4. debate
  5. examination
  6. trance
  7. deliberation
  8. read
Noun
  • The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame performer nominees were recently announced, and Oasis are once again up for consideration.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Other major platforms have been re-evaluating their content moderation strategies in response to political pressure, regulatory scrutiny and financial considerations.
    — Esat Dedezade, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of consideration
Verb
  • How to get the price right To get an accurate sense of your property’s value and determine a reasonable listing price, Berner urges home sellers to research recent sales of comparable homes, and focus on properties similar in size, amenities and condition.
    — Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Then team members should research global markets where those skills are most abundant.
    — James Peters, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of research
Verb
  • Read Next: These Renegade Hunters Are Skiing into the Backcountry with Their Bird Dogs But the most valuable part of the class is learning to make good decisions in the mountains.
    — Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Mar. 2025
  • That’s a pretty big revelation, and one that Mark is not happy to learn.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of learn
Verb
  • Private Sector Responsibility: A Strategic Imperative As policymakers debate sweeping changes, the private sector must recognize the direct impact on human capital management and long-term business viability.
    — Solange Charas, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The House is likely to release its version of the state budget in mid-April and debate it at the end of the month.
    — Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of debate
Noun
  • Changes that can be detected during an examination, such as an enlarged blind spot and thickened retina owing to swelling where the optic nerve joins the retina (known as optic-disc oedema), are unlikely to be noticed by the affected person.
    — Neil Savage, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Jesse once again raises the bar with a bold examination of modern greed, power and male ambition.
    — Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of examination
Noun
  • Three years after their auspicious debut, the young Chicago rock trio’s new album features this insatiable lead single — a quick, crunchy guitar track that’s been putting me in a trance for months.
    — Alex Suskind, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
  • From its beginnings in the early 1990s, K-pop was heavily influenced by rap and hip-hop, and aespa’s takes those origins and adds some dance and trance sounds to it.
    — Sara Murphy, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2025
Definition of trance
Noun
  • Match the level of deliberation to the stakes involved.
    — Aslak de Silva, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • So this was just hours and hours of deliberation, of discussion, of voting.
    — Nick Caruso, TVLine, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of deliberation
Verb
  • Aside from – but not in place of – the pleasure, the experience, and the life balance, reading, more than any other activity, develops our critical thinking skills, the glaring lack of which was fully on display during the 2024 election campaign.
    — Eli Amdur, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • My heart started pounding a little after Sigmon's lawyer read his final statement.
    — Jeffrey Collins, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of read

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Cite this Entry

“Study.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/study. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

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