train 1 of 2

Definition of trainnext
1
as in entourage
a body of employees or servants who accompany and wait on a person a movie star who never goes anywhere without a train of personal assistants to cater to his every whim and need

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2
as in fleet
a group of vehicles traveling together or under one management a train of supply trucks making its way to the army encampment

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3
as in queue
a series of persons or things arranged one behind another already a long train of ticket buyers waiting outside the stadium

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4

train

2 of 2

verb

1
2
3
as in to focus
to fix (as one's attention) steadily toward a central objective train all your thoughts on imagining how you'd score the winning goal in the game

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4
as in to aim
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal trained his eyes on the distant bull's-eye

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5
as in to equip
to make competent (as by training, skill, or ability) for a particular office or function he's so experienced that they usually use him to train new recruits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word train different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of train are discipline, educate, instruct, school, and teach. While all these words mean "to cause to acquire knowledge or skill," train stresses instruction and drill with a specific end in view.

trained foreign pilots to operate the new aircraft

When is discipline a more appropriate choice than train?

While the synonyms discipline and train are close in meaning, discipline implies training in habits of order and precision.

a disciplined mind

When could educate be used to replace train?

In some situations, the words educate and train are roughly equivalent. However, educate implies development of the mind.

more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person

When is it sensible to use instruct instead of train?

The synonyms instruct and train are sometimes interchangeable, but instruct suggests methodical or formal teaching.

instructs raw recruits in military drill

Where would school be a reasonable alternative to train?

While in some cases nearly identical to train, school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master.

schooled the horse in five gaits

When might teach be a better fit than train?

Although the words teach and train have much in common, teach applies to any manner of imparting information or skill so that others may learn.

taught us a lot about our planet

How is the word train different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of train are discipline, educate, instruct, school, and teach. While all these words mean "to cause to acquire knowledge or skill," train stresses instruction and drill with a specific end in view.

trained foreign pilots to operate the new aircraft

When is discipline a more appropriate choice than train?

While the synonyms discipline and train are close in meaning, discipline implies training in habits of order and precision.

a disciplined mind

When could educate be used to replace train?

In some situations, the words educate and train are roughly equivalent. However, educate implies development of the mind.

more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person

When is it sensible to use instruct instead of train?

The synonyms instruct and train are sometimes interchangeable, but instruct suggests methodical or formal teaching.

instructs raw recruits in military drill

Where would school be a reasonable alternative to train?

While in some cases nearly identical to train, school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master.

schooled the horse in five gaits

When might teach be a better fit than train?

Although the words teach and train have much in common, teach applies to any manner of imparting information or skill so that others may learn.

taught us a lot about our planet

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 train
Noun
On 4, 5, J, M, and R trains, LEE was graffitied across whole cars in giant blocks of text, the letters sometimes cracked or slumped and molded into barely recognizable shapes. Paula Aceves, Curbed, 20 Apr. 2026 The viaduct that carries trains across Vollmer Road between Kedzie and Western avenues has been struck by over-height trucks enough times that the damage is visible on both sides. Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
But, training the models to generate thousands of detailed plasma simulations required massive computational power. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026 The urgency of the moment has trained a spotlight on Sebastian Gorka, the White House counterterrorism adviser tasked with drafting a blueprint for fighting homegrown and international threats. Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for train
Recent Examples of Synonyms for train
Noun
  • In 2024, Brown was sued for $50 million for allegedly attacking four fans backstage at his concert in Fort Worth (his entourage and tour promoter Live Nation were also named in the lawsuit).
    Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Gennett's wife, Valerie Giacobbe, yelled toward the entourage.
    CBS News, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The ultra-low cost carrier was expected to exit bankruptcy – its second since 2024 – by this summer after reaching an agreement with creditors that would eliminate billions in debt and further shrink its fleet of Airbus jets.
    Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • International fleets of tall ships and Navy vessels will dock in New Orleans; Norfolk, Virginia; Baltimore, Maryland; New York City and New Jersey; and Boston — bringing parades, tours, fireworks and much more.
    Ashley J. DiMella, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Seeing customers lined up waiting outside a run-down restaurant down the street, McLamore joined the queue and got what other people were getting, a couple of quarter-pound hamburgers on five-inch buns topped with lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, pickles, onions and ketchup.
    Steve Patterson, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The pandemic special is not available online, but why not queue up this lyric video version for a pick-me-up?
    Jennifer Armstrong, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The prosecuting attorney provided additional details to PEOPLE about the sequence of events in the murders Rodriguez admitted to in his plea.
    Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
  • If the Heat had held on, if LaMelo Ball had not scored at the end, Tyler’s sequence would have gone down as one of the most dramatic in the franchise’s 38 seasons.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Pack your phone, wallet, keys, and other essentials, like a glasses case and lip gloss, and prepare to head out for a date night or brunch with friends.
    Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
  • That’s a gentle way of saying that those institutions must be prepared, at times, to coerce.
    Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • With the jumpy Moon in your partnership zone and vulnerable Chiron in your academic sector, their cooperative sextile has much to teach you.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Leone taught and codified dozens of complicated pick-stroke combinations, to give depth and expression.
    Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The astronauts focused some of their observations on Orientale basin, a nearly 600-mile-wide crater that straddles the moon’s near and far sides.
    Denise Chow, NBC news, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Along with Garbage Gals, local organizations focused on composting, native plants, biking, and other environmentally friendly activities hosted tables and engaged with attendees at the park’s southwest entrance.
    Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • United currently aim to make four major signings, including an experienced striker and a left-back, with Tyrell Malacia departing and Luke Shaw needing to be rested more given the addition of midweek games.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Organized by the Malta Film Commission, the festival is set to grow in both scale and ambition this year, with an enlarged program of screenings, industry events and cultural offerings aimed at strengthening Malta’s role as an international filmmaking hub.
    Kennedy French, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Train.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/train. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.

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