instructive

adjective

in-ˈstrək-tiv How to pronounce instructive (audio)
Definition of instructivenext
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

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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 Knowledge that previously seemed intuitive must be laid out in an instructive way. — Tomas Gorny, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 The case of Okinawa, a group of relatively poor islands in the south of Japan, is instructive. — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 The differing responses on either side of the Atlantic are instructive. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 23 June 2026 The Salesforce Agentforce story is instructive. — Brett Hurt, Fortune, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for instructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instructive
  1. informative
  2. educational
  3. educative
  4. instructional
  5. informational
  6. illuminating
Adjective
  • Assessment will become more continuous and informative rather than episodic and punitive.
    — Lisa Schade, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • Meeting conduct rules can be a very positive and informative statement about the community’s values.
    — Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026
Definition of informative
Adjective
  • What the Nun Study Found About Alzheimer’s Researchers combined yearly cognitive testing with medical records and educational transcripts.
    — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
  • Sanchez is also interested in improving his district’s educational outcomes, according to his website.
    — Sofi Zeman July 16, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
Definition of educational
Adjective
  • Perhaps most consequential in this move will be the expansion of the states’ authority and responsibility for educative quality within their jurisdictions.
    — Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 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
Definition of educative
Adjective
  • In terms of formal opportunities, principals said that the most common, and useful, topic for professional learning was instructional leadership, or helping teachers to improve their instruction.
    — Mac Murray, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2026
  • Teacher’s guides provide instructional materials for adults, including guidance with lesson plans.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
Definition of instructional
Adjective
  • This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, legal, tax, or psychological advice.
    — Wes Moss, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only.
    — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Definition of informational
Adjective
  • Yet the real-life conversations that this experience prompts turn out to be moving, surprising, and deeply illuminating.
    — Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 9 July 2026
  • That was certainly true of his illuminating and nuanced The American Revolution, the 12-hour documentary series that presented the nation’s founding years in varying degrees of context, and through an array of points of view.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 July 2026
Definition of illuminating

Browse Nearby Words

instructions
instructive
instructor
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Cite this Entry

“Instructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instructive. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of instructive for Spanish Speakers

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