as in informative
providing useful information or knowledge
an instructive demonstration of the proper way to pack a suitcase so your clothes don't arrive in a mess
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 instructive
For a second-year coach who wants to field a physical team, Monday will be instructive.
—
Joseph Person, New York Times, 28 July 2025
It was reported in the English and Australian press, which was instructive as administrators from other countries with major T20 leagues were seemingly oblivious to the developments.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Although such gory tales push the story along, what makes América, America instructive is Grandin’s focus on the way that Latin American thinkers have advocated for important social rights from the very foundation of their republics.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025
There’s a brief but instructive moment in Brown’s film when the director interviews a descendant of a prominent slave-owning family.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for instructive
Joseph Person, New York Times, 28 July 2025
It was reported in the English and Australian press, which was instructive as administrators from other countries with major T20 leagues were seemingly oblivious to the developments.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Although such gory tales push the story along, what makes América, America instructive is Grandin’s focus on the way that Latin American thinkers have advocated for important social rights from the very foundation of their republics.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025
There’s a brief but instructive moment in Brown’s film when the director interviews a descendant of a prominent slave-owning family.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for instructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instructive
Adjective
-
Central Florida Stamp Club: Meetings include auctions and informative lectures.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Plant labels — those informative plastic stakes wedged into pots — will always identify the amount of sun a plant requires.—
Clarence Schmidt,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This educative strategy should include highlighting the many ways that lawyers selflessly give back to their communities.—
Blake D. Morant,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
While apples-to-apples comparisons aren’t possible, a look at the streaming businesses is educative for identifying longer-term trends.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Once again, the initial state law might be an illuminating example.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
In total though, the research is an illuminating glimpse into Qimmeq history and important information for the dogs’ future conservation.—
Lauren Leffer,
Popular Science,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instructive. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share