1
as in certificates
a written or printed paper giving information about or proof of something
a valid will is a legal instrument
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in devices
an article intended for use in work
always choose the right instrument for any woodworking job
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in instrumentalities
something used to achieve an end
he sees scouting as an instrument for building character in young people
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in tools
one that is or can be used to further the purposes of another
the claim that the scientists are mere instruments of the tobacco companies, who pay them to produce findings that are highly suspect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instruments
The successful tests point toward a new class of Mars exploration vehicle, capable of carrying instruments over terrain that rovers may struggle to reach and that orbiters may be too far away to study.
—
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 17 May 2026
From when sound was first introduced, there was incredible pushback from all the people playing usable instruments.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 May 2026
In 1914 the family moved to Little Rock, where Powell sang in high school productions and learned to play several instruments including the cornet, clarinet and saxophone.
—Arkansas Online, 16 May 2026
The Bank for International Settlements has long scrutinized stablecoins regarding the singleness of money, questioning whether these instruments can reliably be redeemed at par under market stress.
—Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Common instruments in jazz include piano, double bass, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, and drums, with an emphasis on the mighty cymbal.
—René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
The set from the current PBS series, which began in 2020, is in another part of the museum, which also includes an extensive exhibit of historic veterinarian instruments.
—Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
In this case, the high resolution of Webb’s instruments clearly reveals dense star clusters along with large reservoirs of gas and dust.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
The portfolio consists primarily of interest-yielding debt instruments.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 10 Mar. 2025
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 17 May 2026
From when sound was first introduced, there was incredible pushback from all the people playing usable instruments.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 May 2026
In 1914 the family moved to Little Rock, where Powell sang in high school productions and learned to play several instruments including the cornet, clarinet and saxophone.
—Arkansas Online, 16 May 2026
The Bank for International Settlements has long scrutinized stablecoins regarding the singleness of money, questioning whether these instruments can reliably be redeemed at par under market stress.
—Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Common instruments in jazz include piano, double bass, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, and drums, with an emphasis on the mighty cymbal.
—René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
The set from the current PBS series, which began in 2020, is in another part of the museum, which also includes an extensive exhibit of historic veterinarian instruments.
—Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
In this case, the high resolution of Webb’s instruments clearly reveals dense star clusters along with large reservoirs of gas and dust.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
The portfolio consists primarily of interest-yielding debt instruments.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 10 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instruments
Noun
-
Construction trade certificates generated the highest return, at roughly $48,000 over 15 years.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
15 May 2026
-
All Windows 10 PCs will need new certificates, albeit only PCs enrolled for extended security updates (ESU) are eligible.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
In the Jobs era, the Apple ecosystem was its biggest competitive advantage — Cook doubled down on it, with all devices working seamlessly together.—
Vitaliy Katsenelson,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
-
Despite their tiny size, the devices delivered some of the strongest efficiencies reported for ultrathin perovskite solar technology.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Education can be one of our greatest tools for generating achievement, personal stability, and the freedom to pursue happiness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
-
Output Divergence Across The Team If five people on the same team produce work on the same topic using the same tools, how different are the results?—
Abhishek Gandotra,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Fashion brands tend to treat traceability as a documentation exercise, the company said, relying on supplier declarations and chain-of-custody certifications to substantiate sourcing claims.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
-
Her background includes certifications in organizational change management and professional development, along with years of experience in corporate learning, leadership development and global transformation.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Davis urged residents not to leave keys or key fobs inside vehicles.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
Peak also cited a mounting evidence storage problem, noting that vehicles tied to homicides, fatal accidents and other serious cases must be held for extended periods — sometimes through lengthy appeals processes — consuming valuable parking spaces at the facility.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The organization is treating these athletes as political pawns instead of as young people with their own families, goals, futures and careers to think about.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
-
Making the lives of Idahoans affordable, fixing healthcare, helping farmers produce affordable food and still make a living, saving our public lands and national forest for future generations, and making sure vets, servicemen and women and seniors are not used as pawns in political games.—
Kevin Fixler
May 3,
Idaho Statesman,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
The rooms The rooms here were last renovated in 2017—just a hair earlier than Four Seasons One Dalton Street’s rooms, which opened in 2019, but are by no means old or inferior.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
-
Some viewers even felt its liberal use of absurdity in fact grounded the show in the real world compared to the high-minded weepies on daytime, achieving honesty through nontraditional means.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The company specializes in using advanced artificial intelligence, including specialized agents and Large Language Models, to automate contract authoring, negotiation, and risk management.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
What the agents can’t do in many fields is make judgment calls using the insight that comes from on-the-job experience, according to labor experts.—
Victor Swezey,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instruments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instruments. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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