instructive

adjective

in·​struc·​tive in-ˈstrək-tiv 

: carrying a lesson : enlightening

instructively adverb

instructiveness noun

Synonyms

• educational
• educative
• enlightening
• illuminating
• informational
• informative
• informatory
• instructional

Examples of instructive in a Sentence

an interesting and instructive lesson

an instructive demonstration of the proper way to pack a suitcase so your clothes don't arrive in a mess

Recent Examples on the Web

Recognize and reward both successful implementations and instructive failures that generate organizational learning. —Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

This week’s announcement by Group M’s CEO Brian Lesser was particularly instructive. —Howard Homonoff, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

The handling of one recent case, a Columbia Gas rate-hike request, offers an instructive example of some of the dynamics pushing up your monthly bill. —Paul G. Pinsky, Baltimore Sun, 23 Feb. 2025

The former Englewood Whole Foods offers an instructive case study. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for instructive

• abductive
• conductive
• constructive
• deductive
• destructive
• inductive
• obstructive
• productive
• reductive
• seductive
• counterproductive
• photoconductive

Kids Definition

instructive

adjective

in·​struc·​tive in-ˈstrək-tiv 

: giving knowledge : helping to instruct or inform

an instructive experience

instructively adverb