1
as in teaching
to cause to acquire knowledge or skill in some field
spent his military career instructing young pilots
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in informing
to give information to
instructed everyone in the use of the new telephone system
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in telling
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
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 instructing
Issue guidance instructing pharmacists and other health care providers to encourage COVID-19 vaccines, as well as to prescribe and administer them.
—
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Goya’s print with this quote originally features a master donkey, seemingly instructing a disciple.
—Mario Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
The video shows a bleeding, panicked Lester urgently instructing Randall to bring Oliver his shrimp.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
The Cool Girls are even more transactional, instructing women to monetize their connections on social media.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Each bamboo home comes with a DIY manual, instructing users on how to assemble the structure in just seven days at a cost of around US$1,000 to $1,300.
—New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2025
When instructing his students to open their textbooks to page 67, Dannenbring will suddenly adopt the timbre of his enthusiastic seventh graders, who immediately protest their teacher using a phrase that does not belong to him.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
The company foundation’s investment will occur over the next five years and go toward local initiatives to purchase new equipment, help hire new instructing staff and expand curricula, and alleviate financial barriers for students.
—Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Oct. 2025
Other workers received robo-calls instructing them not to come to work, said Greg Ball, president of the Nor Cal Beverage Employees’ Union and 17-year employee of the plant.
—Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Goya’s print with this quote originally features a master donkey, seemingly instructing a disciple.
—Mario Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
The video shows a bleeding, panicked Lester urgently instructing Randall to bring Oliver his shrimp.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
The Cool Girls are even more transactional, instructing women to monetize their connections on social media.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Each bamboo home comes with a DIY manual, instructing users on how to assemble the structure in just seven days at a cost of around US$1,000 to $1,300.
—New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2025
When instructing his students to open their textbooks to page 67, Dannenbring will suddenly adopt the timbre of his enthusiastic seventh graders, who immediately protest their teacher using a phrase that does not belong to him.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
The company foundation’s investment will occur over the next five years and go toward local initiatives to purchase new equipment, help hire new instructing staff and expand curricula, and alleviate financial barriers for students.
—Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Oct. 2025
Other workers received robo-calls instructing them not to come to work, said Greg Ball, president of the Nor Cal Beverage Employees’ Union and 17-year employee of the plant.
—Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instructing
Verb
-
From training the first service dog to beautifying a scenic jewel to teaching at-risk kids to save and invest money, our Icon winners are making a difference.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Not forcing her to go means hurting the other girl, forcing her to go means teaching your daughter that her own comfort should be subjugated to make someone else happy.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Starmer wrote Sheeran, informing him about the changes to the National Curriculum.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
-
At Ikhrata’s final SANDAG board meeting before his December 2023 resignation — barely an hour after he was celebrated for his years of service — the former CEO accepted responsibility for not informing the board sooner.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
There is no telling how long the restrictions might last or how much worse delays will get as Congress remains at a logjam.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Beatty emphasizes that the key to creating the show was telling a clear story in a short format.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Longoria was honored with the Maestro Cares Community Hero Award for educating and empowering Latin women through Eva Longoria Foundation (ELF), and Balvin received the Trailblazer of Cultural Empowerment Award for his commitment to raising awareness about mental health.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Sheffieldhas said that focusing on educating Detroit’s children, and continuing to improve public safety and life in the neighborhoods will be among her priorities if elected mayor.—
Corey Williams,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
When skiing, a guide skis behind Paul and provides instruction, telling him when to turn and advising him of the conditions ahead.—
Jeff Banowetz,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Chan has also consulted for a number of fashion brands, advising them on media and marketing strategy.—
Tim Chan,
Footwear News,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In ordering the culling, CFIA repeatedly cited the need to prevent damage to the country’s nearly $7 billion poultry industry.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Participants are asked to avoid shopping, streaming, ordering online and purchasing fast food.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Police are asking anyone with information to contact them.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Deliberations are ongoing and the company could decide not to proceed with a listing, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information isn’t public.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Democrats similarly notched commanding victories in county executive races in Erie, Lehigh and Northampton counties, all bellwether counties in recent presidential elections.—
Stephen Fowler,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi also tackles two characters with commanding rage and badass physicality.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instructing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instructing. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share