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 The more instructive part, however, is Tony’s time in the chaotic Flagship kitchen, where Chef turns a blind eye to the cocaine and weed circulating but has strict rules about timekeeping and efficiency. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026 The transition from the British pound to the US dollar provides an instructive if imperfect case study. — Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak, Fortune, 17 July 2026 There’s no outstanding candidate available to England and, while Tuchel clearly got the second half against Argentina badly wrong, there’s merit in allowing that semi-final to become an instructive experience going forward. — The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 16 July 2026 There are instructive parallels with the arrival of SSRIs in the 1990s. — Max Moser, STAT, 9 July 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
  • Incomplete fossils are often viewed as less informative than nearly complete skeletons.
    — The Conversation, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The main event figures to be an entertaining and informative war.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of informative
Adjective
  • When children are experiencing poor educational outcomes, at what point does opposition to an alternative become an obstacle to giving families another opportunity?
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Aside from her Hollywood forays, Cotler has built a career in education, working as a teacher, school administrator, and educational consultant.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 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
  • William James Middle is part of Fort Worth ISD’s new Elevate Network instructional model, which emphasizes a consistent routine to maximize time students spend learning, district officials have said.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Students will encounter larger classes, fewer course offerings and a more transient instructional workforce.
    — Francisco Ruiz, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of instructional
Adjective
  • That mission has become progressively more important as China's informational capabilities have expanded in their scope and sophistication.
    — Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The judge ordered Facebook and Instagram to build banner and informational screens to clearly explain its protection features, best practices, tools to address inappropriate comments, for example, and display them regularly.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of informational
Adjective
  • Waiting four days may have been fatal to the recovery of some video that could have been more illuminating.
    — Michael Ruiz , Kelley Kramer, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
  • The most recent fundraising report was the most illuminating on the campaigns’ spending, given the proximity to the mid-August primary.
    — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 17 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 17 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of instructive for Spanish Speakers

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