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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 instructions But jury nullification gives them the power to disregard those instructions. — Monu Bedi, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026 When disinfecting surfaces, let the cleanser sit for the time specified in the product’s instructions. — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 20 Sep. 2026 If control is needed immediately, liquid herbicide products are available for lawns following label instructions. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026 Some distraught users took to social media to express their alarm at how the AI agent, which required masses of personal data to operate without detailed instructions, had a habit of going rogue. — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026 Orders can be equivocal, statements ambiguous, instructions murky. — Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026 Before using anything abrasive or a stronger cleaner, check the item’s care instructions. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026 How could lay people, in light of these instructions, come to a unanimous conclusion as to what Clancy was thinking? — Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2026 The Moon squares structured Saturn, making unclear emails, shifting responsibilities, or poorly explained instructions especially frustrating. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instructions

Noun

But Palatine Road was closed in both directions at Winston Drive for hours while crews cleaned up the mess.

— Desiree Evans, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
At the end of both cases, the judge will give directions to the jury, after which all of their electronic devices will be taken and they will be sent to a room to consider their verdict.

— Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of directions

Noun

In one portion of the exercise, a Type 99B crew received orders to engage an armor-piercing target at 1,200 meters while stationary.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2026
Demand exploded during the Covid-19 pandemic, when lockdowns kept people at home and online orders boomed.

— Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of orders

Noun

The film by and large follows the edicts of Iranian neorealism, with unobtrusive observations and a naturalistic soundscape.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Many believe Beijing perceived Tung as a loyalist who would obey the Communist leadership’s edicts.

— Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of edicts

Noun

This action follows previous directives this summer aimed at regulating data center expansion.

— Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026
Glass is no stranger to such responsibilities after serving as the top cop at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for the past four and half years while leading the agency’s directives and missions.

— Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 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

The lawsuit was filed in Travis County and seeks a declaratory judgment and injunctions.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
In a brief filed on Tuesday, Paramount says that the states are obligated to post the bond under antitrust laws and federal procedures governing injunctions.

— Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of injunctions

Browse Nearby Words

instructional

instructions

instructive

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Instructions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instructions. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of instructions

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

pundit

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes