STUDY Synonyms: 176 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

study 1 of 2

noun

ˈstə-dē

Definition of study

as in investigation

a systematic search for the truth or facts about something conducted a study to determine the sleep needs of adolescents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in daydreaming

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in consideration

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

study

2 of 2

verb

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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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

as in to debate

to give serious and careful thought to scientists who study the origin of the universe

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

This new study reveals that experimental niobium-titanium alloys can defy this rule at a freezing -253°C (20 kelvin) by spontaneously shifting their atomic structure to form mirror-image twins and generate fresh defects. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026 For example, when a credit card is fragmented into particles some 10 microns in diameter, there is a more than 200-fold increase in its surface area, says Wei Min, a chemist at Columbia University and one of the senior authors of the study. — Payal Dhar, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

Researchers who study stadium financing have said that Kansas’ arrangement with the Chiefs represents one of the most generous public subsidies of a professional sports team in American history. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026 Blood tests and biopsies are typically used to study immune biomarkers for skin diseases like psoriasis and vitiligo. — Erica Sweeney, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for study

Recent Examples of Synonyms for study

Noun

The State Law Enforcement Division didn't say if their investigation into any of the men is continuing.

— MEG KINNARD, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
In January, the FBI raided a Post reporter’s home, as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of mishandling sensitive national security information.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of investigation

Noun

When your seatmate is leading a Q1 strategy session, staring out the window and daydreaming—one of the most distinct opportunities of flying—may seem like time wasted.

— Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026
Whereas, symptoms for women tend to be more internalized and subtle, such as with more quiet distractibility, daydreaming, disorganization, excessive talking and emotional dysregulation.

— Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of daydreaming

Verb

Her ambitions also extend to Fendi Casa, where the designer is researching furniture, textiles, colors and materials to establish a more recognizable language for the home.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Ziemba said patients can take steps to reduce their risk by researching providers and checking their qualifications.

— Kristine Lazar, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of research

Verb

But on Monday, Broadcom CEO Hock Tan likened many of the investors drawn to the AI boom to gamblers and questioned the economics of AI labs as Wall Street debates whether the AI bubble will burst.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
The candidates for county judge debated the county’s most pressing issues, including budget management, flood control and jail diversion.

— Katie Bartlett, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of debate

Noun

If Fielder is again playing a version of himself here, Holmes seems to be offering near infinite versions of herself up for examination, like a set of unblinking reflections in a hall of funhouse mirrors.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
The search and forensic examination of the property remain ongoing.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of examination

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studs

study

studying

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Style

“Study.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/study. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of study

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing study

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