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 There are instructive parallels with the arrival of SSRIs in the 1990s. — Max Moser, STAT, 9 July 2026 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 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
  • In France, some opposition lawmakers opposed the bill at an earlier stage over concerns about free speech and access to informative online content.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • The pop-up exhibition includes informative panels and interactive kiosks that tap storytelling, illustration, technology and artifacts.
    — Staff report, Daily News, 20 July 2026
Definition of informative
Adjective
  • The second floor will feature a gallery to showcase the history of race relations in North Texas, honoring Rouse's memory with a permanent gallery, interpretive exhibitions, and educational programming.
    — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
  • Reports indicate that Fable 5 declined to answer a range of benign educational questions in fields such as biology, chemistry, and mathematics – including basic prompts about mitochondria.
    — James Marks, Fortune, 23 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
  • The second is instructional effectiveness, which looks at whether a tool, curriculum or learning process enables better feedback and stronger teaching practices.
    — Melissa Loble, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • There are instructional leagues and complex leagues and what have you, but the roster spots are finite.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of instructional
Adjective
  • That long build-up points to years of unmet informational and care needs finally surfacing.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2026
  • The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies described.
    — Brian Sloan,Dan Avery, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of informational
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
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 28 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on instructive

Nglish: Translation of instructive for Spanish Speakers

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