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
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Recent Examples of instructive
His legacy is instructive—and not just because Marco Rubio is the first person to serve simultaneously as secretary of State and national security advisor since Kissinger.
—
Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Last year, Hardeep Dhillon, a historian at the University of Pennsylvania, shared some research with me that is instructive in this current moment.
—Michael Luo, New Yorker, 20 May 2025
The issue of identity is not just a fad but becomes a fact of self-determination — in this context, Dahomey’s flaws are instructive for this moment when race and gender exploitation runs rampant and unchecked.
—Armond White, National Review, 16 May 2025
Wagner’s interests away from the entertainment arena are instructive.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for instructive
Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Last year, Hardeep Dhillon, a historian at the University of Pennsylvania, shared some research with me that is instructive in this current moment.
—Michael Luo, New Yorker, 20 May 2025
The issue of identity is not just a fad but becomes a fact of self-determination — in this context, Dahomey’s flaws are instructive for this moment when race and gender exploitation runs rampant and unchecked.
—Armond White, National Review, 16 May 2025
Wagner’s interests away from the entertainment arena are instructive.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for instructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instructive
Adjective
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But as informative as the Tumat siblings are, their true identity means researchers are back to searching for humans’ earliest dog relationships.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
11 June 2025
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Central Florida Stamp Club: Meetings include auctions and informative lectures.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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The trend of clients seeking out educative experiences outside of the classroom continues to bubble, and this new epic pilgrimage is designed to celebrate the many life lessons Greek mythology presents while igniting children’s curiosity for the world through the ancient hero’s journey.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes,
27 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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Her sensible, non-dogmatic applications of spiritual insight are an illuminating delight.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
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Kevin O’Connell gave an illuminating quote last week.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instructive. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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