INSTRUCTIONS Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

instructions

noun

plural of instruction

as in directions

a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned needed an administrative assistant who was good at following instructions

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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 instructions Three days before the test, a hospital administrator from Southampton Hospital called to confirm the appointment and review the preparation instructions. — Scott Levenson, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026 Instead, the test showed how a human could direct a semi-autonomous platform while its software handled the details of executing instructions. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 Add keywords to photos in iOS 27 These instructions are based on an iPhone 15 Pro running iOS 27. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Apple’s new smart display sits in the center of the chaos on the kitchen table, helping the family check their calendars, send messages, and pull up a French toast recipe in seconds, with simple, step-by-step instructions. — Dominic Preston, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2026 Voters who have changed their names should bring their identification and be prepared to follow the poll worker's instructions. — S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Qualifying stock is transferred to Treasury and allocated to eligible children according to donor instructions and Treasury guidance. — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026 Next steps could include reducing the computational workload and connecting SANDO to machine-learning systems that accept plain-language instructions. — New Atlas, 11 Oct. 2026 The incident is part of a broader concern about AI agents acting beyond instructions, including a separate case in which Claude submitted forms to a government website. — Mae Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instructions

Noun

Metal forks are stored handles downward and plastic forks are positioned both directions for patron self service.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
For another, turning my head just sent the view spinning in different directions in a way that quickly threatened nausea.

— Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of directions

Noun

In the ensuing political turmoil, health workers went on strike, vaccine orders were delayed and follow-up vaccinations that usually accompany routine programs were disrupted.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Already, over Catholicism’s roughly 2,000-year history, women have become saints who founded missions and religious orders.

— Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of orders

Noun

Pro teams also tend to follow league edicts, especially since teams and their owners are contractually bound to their leagues.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Oct. 2026
The film by and large follows the edicts of Iranian neorealism, with unobtrusive observations and a naturalistic soundscape.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of edicts

Noun

Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain concluded that Olson violated two department directives, including rules governing conduct unbecoming an officer and conduct toward fellow employees.

— Brian Maass, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Wednesday’s filing marks the latest escalation in the legal fight over conditions at the facility and the government’s lack of compliance with the court’s directives.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of directives

Noun

This is, of course, the conception of fundamentalist theology, which threatens eternal hellfire for anyone who defies its commandments.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Wilde’s nine buttercream commandments show home bakers how to create visually striking, deeply personal cakes.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Definition of commandments

Noun

Their options include deploying lawyers to federal and state court to seek injunctions and using local law enforcement to make arrests under state law.

— Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
The injunctions request the existing agreements remain in place and that any disputes be resolved via mandatory arbitration.

— Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of injunctions

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instructional

instructions

instructive

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“Instructions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instructions. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of instructions

noun

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