1
as in to teach
to cause to acquire knowledge or skill in some field
spent his military career instructing young pilots
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to inform
to give information to
instructed everyone in the use of the new telephone system
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to tell
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
the proctors instructed everyone to put their pencils down and hand in their tests
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instruct
Klein remembers attending a seminar to instruct patients like him in using the drug Forteo.
—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
They're instructed to return to visit the artwork weekly; to sit, stand or kneel in front of it for about 15 minutes; then write a response paper each week.
—Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Miller is navigating through the kinks, continuing to get acclimated with the taping of his wrist — something he’s been instructed to do — and working through the rust associated with not playing in an actual competitive game for nine months.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
Maybe Ruff has instructed him not to fight in certain situations.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instruct
The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
They're instructed to return to visit the artwork weekly; to sit, stand or kneel in front of it for about 15 minutes; then write a response paper each week.
—Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Miller is navigating through the kinks, continuing to get acclimated with the taping of his wrist — something he’s been instructed to do — and working through the rust associated with not playing in an actual competitive game for nine months.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
Maybe Ruff has instructed him not to fight in certain situations.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instruct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instruct
Verb
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Michael Meredith, an avid duck hunter, will teach basic calling techniques.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Oct. 2025
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Becoming a psychologist taught me a great deal about healing, forgiveness and grace – and how all of that must start with ourselves.—
Angela Kenzslowe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Guadagnino had noted to Piersanti that Alma was an upper-class woman, which informed the wardrobe pricing, while Maggie, played by Edebiri, was trying to emulate Alma but on a younger woman’s budget.—
Leigh Nordstrom,
Footwear News,
16 Oct. 2025
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Few figures have informed the sensibility of NPR more than Stamberg.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Debris that may be key evidence could be as small as a fingernail, experts told CNN, and might have been thrown miles away.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
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Those last six words are telling.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tedesco learned about Reparation Generation last year through a church group and further got involved by hosting home meetings this year to educate others about the organization's work.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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McGawley adds, advising that the least successful way to pass along money and assets is to wait until children reach an age milepost such as 30 and then hand over a substantial income without any scaffolding.—
Christina Binkley,
Robb Report,
11 Oct. 2025
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Malcolm is understandably furious (and his uncle has only recently advised him that revenge is the best way to mend a broken heart).—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mayor Chris Carney said the town received two drones for the price of one because Mooresville was among the first communities in the country to order the new technology.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
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In September, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy cited the pursuit of innovation, collaboration and connection in ending the company’s three-days-in the-office hybrid model and ordering employees — including those at the company’s Bay Area offices — back in five days a week.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Murray, in turn, was asked to be a two-way player in ways that were not necessarily originally expected for the young prospect with a deft shooting touch.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Get people to ask hard questions about everything and not to trust anything on its face.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Swift had previously become the first and only artist ever to command all 10 spots in the top 10 of the Hot 100.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
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Will the Bears improve to 3-2, or will the Commanders get to a commanding 4-2 record on Monday Night Football?—
Gabe Smallson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instruct. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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