instruct

verb

in·​struct in-ˈstrəkt 

instructed; instructing; instructs

transitive verb

1

: to give knowledge to : teach, train

2

: to provide with authoritative information or advice

the judge instructed the jury

3

: to give an order or command to : direct

Synonyms

• teach
• educate

Choose the Right Synonym for instruct

teach, instruct, educate, train, discipline, school mean to cause to acquire knowledge or skill.

teach applies to any manner of imparting information or skill so that others may learn.

taught us a lot about our planet

instruct suggests methodical or formal teaching.

instructs raw recruits in military drill

educate implies development of the mind.

more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person

train stresses instruction and drill with a specific end in view.

trained foreign pilots to operate the new aircraft

discipline implies training in habits of order and precision.

a disciplined mind

school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master.

schooled the horse in five gaits

command, order, bid, enjoin, direct, instruct, charge mean to issue orders.

command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality.

command stresses official exercise of authority.

a general commanding troops

order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

ordered his employees about

bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

she bade him be seated

enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality.

directed her assistant to hold all calls

the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark

charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.

charged by the President with a secret mission

Examples of instruct in a Sentence

She instructed us that we were to remain in our seats.

The judge instructed the jury that they should disregard the testimony of the last witness.

She advised him to instruct a solicitor.

Recent Examples on the Web

When instructing his students to open their textbooks to page 67, Dannenbring will suddenly adopt the timbre of his enthusiastic seventh graders, who immediately protest their teacher using a phrase that does not belong to him. —Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025

They were instructed to consider only the athletes’ college careers. —Doug Feinberg, Twin Cities, 18 Oct. 2025

When someone joins the app, they are instructed to record a video of themselves from multiple angles and record themselves speaking. —Bobby Allyn, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025

Appropriators themselves do not prefer CRs, preferring to pass the 12 bills as their committee is instructed. —Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin instructus, past participle of instruere, from in- + struere to build — more at structure

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for instruct

• abduct
• conduct
• construct
• deduct
• destruct
• induct
• obstruct
• aqueduct
• deconstruct
• reconstruct
• bucked
• chucked

Kids Definition

instruct

verb

in·​struct in-ˈstrəkt 

1

: to give knowledge to : teach

the tutor instructs him in math

2

: to give information to : inform

instructed us that the cafeteria was downstairs

3

: to give directions or commands to

instructed her to arrive promptly

Legal Definition

instruct

transitive verb

in·​struct

: to provide (a jury) with explanation and directions regarding the law applicable to a case

the judge instructed the jury that the plaintiff bears the burden of proof

the jury was instructed to ignore the attorney's comments

intransitive verb

: to give instructions to a jury

the trial judge refused to instruct on manslaughter

—W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.