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
Relevance
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
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.
Recent Examples of instruments
Watches are time-telling instruments, but more important, storytelling instruments.
—
Adam Erace, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
The mission will carry a suite of instruments, the Lunar Vulkan Imaging and Spectroscopy Explorer (Lunar-VISE).
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
During rehearsals, McCormack welcomed all professional feedback to reach the exacting standards of the realistic medical show, especially when using instruments such as a cranial drill.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
The Chavista system suppressed the opposition and dissenting voices and turned the courts and police into instruments for the persecution of political opponents.
—Boris Muñoz, Time, 3 Apr. 2026
Here in our Universe, the light that gets emitted from objects isn’t necessarily the same as the light that arrives in either our eyes or our instruments.
—Big Think, 3 Apr. 2026
The referee also faulted Adam Cohen for blocking the sale of his father’s archive, which includes 200 notebooks, as well as paintings, hats, instruments and other ephemera, and which was appraised at one point at $48 million.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026
To Jackson, the First Amendment should not interfere simply because a treatment is applied through words rather than instruments.
—Kevin Cope, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Karla asked her husband, who has played many instruments, what’s the easiest instrument to learn.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Adam Erace, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
The mission will carry a suite of instruments, the Lunar Vulkan Imaging and Spectroscopy Explorer (Lunar-VISE).
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
During rehearsals, McCormack welcomed all professional feedback to reach the exacting standards of the realistic medical show, especially when using instruments such as a cranial drill.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
The Chavista system suppressed the opposition and dissenting voices and turned the courts and police into instruments for the persecution of political opponents.
—Boris Muñoz, Time, 3 Apr. 2026
Here in our Universe, the light that gets emitted from objects isn’t necessarily the same as the light that arrives in either our eyes or our instruments.
—Big Think, 3 Apr. 2026
The referee also faulted Adam Cohen for blocking the sale of his father’s archive, which includes 200 notebooks, as well as paintings, hats, instruments and other ephemera, and which was appraised at one point at $48 million.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026
To Jackson, the First Amendment should not interfere simply because a treatment is applied through words rather than instruments.
—Kevin Cope, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Karla asked her husband, who has played many instruments, what’s the easiest instrument to learn.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instruments
Noun
-
It's being paid for with TABOR timeout dollars, a general fund loan, capital impact fees and certificates of participation.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, a red badge indicates that your PC can’t receive the new Secure Boot software certificates.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During the Apollo missions, astronauts used urine collection and transfer devices, as well as plastic bags taped to the buttocks to collect feces.—
ByMary Kekatos,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Our bill will ban the federal government from buying and operating these devices made in countries that wish us harm.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
New tools like mixed reality technologies and spatial computing might offer a way for the biennial form to mutate, in response to our own age, rather than die.—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Students can specialize in design, marketing, and production and graduate with industry certifications from Dallas College.—
Erin Jones,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Within 120 days, California's Department of General Services and Department of Technology will submit recommendations for new AI‑related vendor certifications which would allow firms to attest to responsible AI governance and public‑safety protections.—
Reuters,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The group also agreed to forfeit more than $300,000 in cash and two vehicles.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The vehicles had flown together only once before, on the 2022 Artemis 1 mission, but without humans aboard.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Privatized airports avoided long shutdown waits Privatizing airport security, some in the business argue, makes airport workers and travelers less vulnerable to becoming pawns in congressional fights over policy issues.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
-
His desire to cross pawns again.—
Ashlee Conour,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
McLeod also emphasized the urgency of incorporating and said that many people get the wrong message about what becoming a city means.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Luna himself has acknowledged never finding any, and department policy has always provided for the means to discipline and terminate any employee who engages in behavior that harms the public, fellow employees, or is otherwise prohibited by law.—
Opinion Staff,
Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Stricter rules were imposed on documentation required for sponsors, border agents started pressuring unaccompanied children to self-deport before transferring them to shelters and Immigration and Customs Enforcement started arresting some sponsors in the middle of the release process.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Following the deadly shooting of two Americans by immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier this year, congressional Democrats have opposed funding ICE and CBP without policy changes, but the two parties have been unable to reach an agreement on reforms.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instruments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instruments. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
