1
as in certificate
a written or printed paper giving information about or proof of something
a valid will is a legal instrument
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2
as in tool
an article intended for use in work
always choose the right instrument for any woodworking job
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3
as in instrumentality
something used to achieve an end
he sees scouting as an instrument for building character in young people
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4
as in pawn
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instrument
Russell played a sweet clarinet as well as the night’s primary instrument, and Giddens of course spends as much time as a fiddler as banjoist, while Kiah concentrated on guitar and McCalla played a mixture of cello and guitar.
—
Chris Willman, Variety, 21 June 2025
The bypass is done through microsurgery using instruments as thin as a strand of hair, Wo said.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2025
What To Know The instrument, known as the Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT), was originally used to map minerals in desert regions but is now offering insights into water quality.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
And on albums such as Pet Sounds, Wilson’s lavish, orchestral production techniques dramatically expanded the sonic palette of rock ‘n’ roll and showed how the recording studio could be an instrument by itself.
—Gavin Edwards, Rolling Stone, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for instrument
Chris Willman, Variety, 21 June 2025
The bypass is done through microsurgery using instruments as thin as a strand of hair, Wo said.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2025
What To Know The instrument, known as the Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT), was originally used to map minerals in desert regions but is now offering insights into water quality.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
And on albums such as Pet Sounds, Wilson’s lavish, orchestral production techniques dramatically expanded the sonic palette of rock ‘n’ roll and showed how the recording studio could be an instrument by itself.
—Gavin Edwards, Rolling Stone, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for instrument
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instrument
Noun
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The Data Science certificate introduces Python, stats, and open-source tools like Jupyter Notebooks.—
Dr. Aviva Legatt,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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Participants must be 18 years old or older and attend all four days of classes to receive a certificate of completion.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
23 June 2025
Noun
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Human smugglers, often linked to drug cartels, have used tunnels, ladders and power tools to cross walls.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
26 June 2025
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On top of that, with a variety of third-party tools available on the market, business owners can also have their pick, according to RMIT Vietnam’s Parida.—
Bernice Ooi,
CNBC,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Amtrak is also not considered a department, agency or instrumentality of the United States Government and its overseeing regulatory body, the OIG, remains open during shutdowns as well.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA TODAY,
20 Dec. 2024
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Amtrak is also not considered a department, agency or instrumentality of the United States Government and its overseeing regulatory body, the OIG, remains open during shutdowns as well.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA TODAY,
20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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As something of a pawn in the game of tactical chess between Ferreira and Paiva, the broad conclusion was that the experiment did not quite work out for the teenager.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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Investigators reported finding a receipt matching those items sold to a pawn shop, where Tate provided his Tennessee driver’s license to conduct the transaction, according to the report.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2025
Noun
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The administration also revoked Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, froze research funding, and pressed the university on DEI policies and campus protests.—
Patrick Maguire,
CBS News,
29 June 2025
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The independent health care accreditation and certification organization has launched a couple high-profile, high-tech partnerships in recent weeks.—
Alexis Kayser,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
Noun
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The answer, both say, is passkeys — linking account security to device security.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
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That device will operate similarly to the Meta product but better synchronize with the rest of the Apple ecosystem.—
Ani Freedman,
Fortune,
20 June 2025
Noun
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In addition to tariffs, automakers are trying to cope with slow growth, less-than-expected deliveries of electric vehicles and a highly competitive Chinese industry.—
Bill Koenig,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
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Do not follow large vehicles closely - Large vehicles like trucks or buses can create a spray of water that can reduce your visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2025
Noun
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In many cases, legacy systems can’t easily accommodate these autonomous agents without substantial reengineering.—
Sol Rashidi,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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Six crew members and a gate agent at Charlotte Douglas International Airport were taken to the hospital Friday night after inhaling something, according to MEDIC.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instrument.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instrument. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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