instructive
adjective
in·struc·tive
in-ˈstrək-tiv 
: carrying a lesson : enlightening
instructively
adverb
instructiveness
noun
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
Global trends may be instructive in predicting the revenue the New York tax may end up generating.
—
Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 12 May 2026
Here, the phenomenon of a mule was an instructive guide in predicting what would happen when a watermelon with tetraploid chromosomes was crossed with an ordinary diploid variety.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
The way other European minority languages manage their survival can be instructive.
—Big Think, 4 May 2026
These associations are imbued with instructive purpose, as every creature offers its own teachings (for example, birds fly in formation, with each taking its turn in front, offering a lesson about the nature of leadership).
—Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for instructive
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 12 May 2026
Here, the phenomenon of a mule was an instructive guide in predicting what would happen when a watermelon with tetraploid chromosomes was crossed with an ordinary diploid variety.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
The way other European minority languages manage their survival can be instructive.
—Big Think, 4 May 2026
These associations are imbued with instructive purpose, as every creature offers its own teachings (for example, birds fly in formation, with each taking its turn in front, offering a lesson about the nature of leadership).
—Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for instructive
Cite this Entry
“Instructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instructive. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instructive
adjective
in·struc·tive
in-ˈstrək-tiv
: giving knowledge : helping to instruct or inform
an instructive experience
instructively
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
