Synonyms of instruct

instruct

verb

in-ˈstrəkt 

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

• teach
• educate
• indoctrinate
• lesson
• school
• train
• tutor
• inform
• guide
• prepare
• coach
• mentor
• instil
• instill
• preach
• lecture
• prime
• drill
• enlighten
• inculcate
• introduce
• edify
• moralize
• ground
• lead
• qualify
• familiarize
• initiate
• retrain
• habilitate
• direct
• catechize
• show
• impart (to)
• fit
• implant
• brief
• reeducate
• rear
• verse
• homeschool
• reteach
• reschool

2

as in to inform

to give information to

instructed everyone in the use of the new telephone system

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inform
• advise
• tell
• teach
• educate
• acquaint
• apprise
• enlighten
• familiarize
• brief
• notify
• clue (in)
• wise (up)
• hip
• fill in
• catch up
• alert
• clear
• convince
• verse
• let someone know
• advertise
• assure
• keep (someone) posted
• reassure
• certify
• disclose (to)
• announce (to)
• lecture
• warrant
• school
• tutor
• disabuse
• undeceive
• disenchant
• disillusion

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mislead
• misinform

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

• tell
• order
• ask
• command
• advise
• enjoin
• direct
• beg
• warn
• bid
• appoint
• boss (around)
• adjure
• require
• charge
• compel
• request
• authorize
• assign
• counsel
• supervise
• beseech
• entreat
• petition
• force
• manage
• coerce
• constrain
• oblige
• oversee
• conduct
• lead
• control
• superintend
• commission

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• follow
• keep
• mind
• obey
• observe
• comply (with)

Synonym Chooser

How is the word instruct different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of instruct are discipline, educate, school, teach, and train. While all these words mean "to cause to acquire knowledge or skill," instruct suggests methodical or formal teaching.

instructs raw recruits in military drill

Where would discipline be a reasonable alternative to instruct?

While in some cases nearly identical to instruct, discipline implies training in habits of order and precision.

a disciplined mind

When is educate a more appropriate choice than instruct?

The words educate and instruct are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, educate implies development of the mind.

more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person

When can school be used instead of instruct?

While the synonyms school and instruct are close in meaning, school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master.

schooled the horse in five gaits

When is it sensible to use teach instead of instruct?

The meanings of teach and instruct largely overlap; however, teach applies to any manner of imparting information or skill so that others may learn.

taught us a lot about our planet

When might train be a better fit than instruct?

Although the words train and instruct have much in common, train stresses instruction and drill with a specific end in view.

trained foreign pilots to operate the new aircraft

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of instruct

Anticipating a potential distraction, court marshals instructed reporters and members of the public to keep their eyes forward and be quiet regardless of who enters the courtroom. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 13 June 2025

Our parents instruct us not to call people names, say rude things, or make fun of those with differences. —Nicholas Dimarzio, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025

After the officer made contact with the teen, the teacher is seen moving closer to the student, touching him on the arms and instructing him to stand near a group of other students. —Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025

The judge dismissed the jurors for the day but instructed them to keep deliberating on that count Thursday. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 11 June 2025