reform school

noun

Synonyms of reform schoolnext
: a reformatory for boys or girls

Examples of reform school in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Skakel made it through reform school and rebuilt his life. — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2025 At age 9, he was sent to reform school and then spent much of the next two decades of his life in correctional facilities. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026 This staggering drama forces the viewer to bear witness to brutal conditions at a corrupt reform school through the eyes of two of its students — literally. — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025 Concerns have been raised about fairness in some of the executions, as many inmates had serious mental health issues or lacked legal representation, and some were victims of abuse at state reform schools. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reform school

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reform school was circa 1859

Rhymes for reform school

See All Rhymes for reform school

Browse Nearby Words

Reform Judaism
reform school
reformulate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reform school.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reform%20school. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

reform school

noun
: a reformatory for boys or girls

Legal Definition

reform school

noun
: a reformatory for boys or girls

More from Merriam-Webster on reform school

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for reform school

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