1
as in to teach
to cause to acquire knowledge or skill in some field
spent his military career instructing young pilots
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to inform
to give information to
instructed everyone in the use of the new telephone system
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to tell
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
the proctors instructed everyone to put their pencils down and hand in their tests
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instruct
The scene shortly after the attack was tense, as law enforcement agents with a police dog walked through the streets looking for threats and instructed the public to stay clear of the mall.
—
Colleen Slevin, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
And the trio of senators supported an amendment to the budget resolution earlier this year that would have removed the language instructing the committee overseeing Medicaid to make $880 billion in cuts.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 2 June 2025
The order instructed the Department of Education to investigate academic institutions that failed to comply.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
In March, Trump signed an executive order establishing a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, instructing federal agencies to treat bitcoin as a long-term store of value.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for instruct
Colleen Slevin, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
And the trio of senators supported an amendment to the budget resolution earlier this year that would have removed the language instructing the committee overseeing Medicaid to make $880 billion in cuts.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 2 June 2025
The order instructed the Department of Education to investigate academic institutions that failed to comply.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
In March, Trump signed an executive order establishing a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, instructing federal agencies to treat bitcoin as a long-term store of value.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for instruct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instruct
Verb
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Having to teach your younger siblings not to trust figures of authority.—
Steve Dollar,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
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Part of the campaign includes a limited edition Squish the Bug home plate turf mat designed to teach Little Leaguers the fundamentals of batting.—
John Perrotto,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Nobody informed Cristian’s family what was happening.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
10 June 2025
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His mother informs Mel and his sister that their father will be out on day release but urges them not to share their address with him.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2025
Verb
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Her aunt would often call Valdes’ mom from Florida, telling her their family would be safer here.—
Clara-Sophia Daly,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2025
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Copying others only tells you what worked yesterday for someone else, when what leaders need to focus on is what will work for them tomorrow.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Healthcare providers and community leaders must also educate patients about vaccination benefits, particularly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and those with high exposure.—
Dr. Jerome Adams,
Time,
10 June 2025
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Retail investors shouldn’t be seen as hurdles, but rather as opportunities for widespread adoption, and must be educated for sustainable innovation.—
Joash Lee,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Verb
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Hollywood used the enormous Technicolor cameras — which required special color consultants to advise on cinematography, costumes, and sets — for its biggest productions, especially musicals, up until the mid-1950s, when the old Studio System started to crumble.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
9 June 2025
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Meanwhile, smartphone users are advised to watch for signs that their own phones may have been compromised.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
Verb
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The last time a president called in the National Guard without a governor’s cooperation was in 1965, when Lyndon B. Johnson ordered troops to protect civil rights demonstrators in Alabama.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2025
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Helen's Tomato Pie Senior Digital News Editor Rebecca Baer heads to one of downtown Birmingham’s most popular restaurants, Helen, each summer to order their beloved Tomato Pie.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
8 June 2025
Verb
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But some Colombians have also asked the president to tone down his rhetoric against opposition leaders.—
Manuel Rueda,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin asked.—
Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2025
Verb
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The top five digital platforms (Google, Meta, ByteDance, Amazon and Alibaba) will command more than half of global ad revenue.—
Gladys Kong,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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The roughly two-week-long flight will be commanded by record-breaking former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who is now Axiom's director of human spaceflight.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instruct. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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