1
as in teaches
to cause to acquire knowledge or skill in some field
spent his military career instructing young pilots
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in informs
to give information to
instructed everyone in the use of the new telephone system
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tells
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
the proctors instructed everyone to put their pencils down and hand in their tests
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instructs
The email obtained by NPR instructs employees working on energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to avoid using about a dozen words and phrases, many of which are central to their work.
—
Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
Further, Trump’s executive order instructs these agencies to coordinate surveillance with public health and welfare agencies to address disorderly elements in communities, even when that person has not committed a crime.
—Kate Caldwell, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
The computer identifies targets and instructs the motors to adjust the hand and wrist in real time.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
Allen instructs Blackie to follow him and jumps in his own car.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
The order also instructs IDPH to publish its own, accessible vaccine guidance to the public, support school vaccination efforts, and work with local health departments, community health centers, disability organizations, and rural providers to encourage vaccination on a larger scale statewide.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
The will instructs heirs to sell a 15% stake in the Italian fashion house within 18 months and later transfer an additional stake to the same buyer between three and five years after his death, or pursue an initial public offering, the news agency said, citing the will.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Pivotal’s training instructs pilots to find a safe landing spot with no less than 20 percent of battery charge remaining.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Sep. 2025
Emery instructs players to pass backwards rather than sideways, as square passes are easier for opponents to intercept and can lead to transitions.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
Further, Trump’s executive order instructs these agencies to coordinate surveillance with public health and welfare agencies to address disorderly elements in communities, even when that person has not committed a crime.
—Kate Caldwell, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
The computer identifies targets and instructs the motors to adjust the hand and wrist in real time.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
Allen instructs Blackie to follow him and jumps in his own car.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
The order also instructs IDPH to publish its own, accessible vaccine guidance to the public, support school vaccination efforts, and work with local health departments, community health centers, disability organizations, and rural providers to encourage vaccination on a larger scale statewide.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
The will instructs heirs to sell a 15% stake in the Italian fashion house within 18 months and later transfer an additional stake to the same buyer between three and five years after his death, or pursue an initial public offering, the news agency said, citing the will.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Pivotal’s training instructs pilots to find a safe landing spot with no less than 20 percent of battery charge remaining.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Sep. 2025
Emery instructs players to pass backwards rather than sideways, as square passes are easier for opponents to intercept and can lead to transitions.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instructs
Verb
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Mark Williams, a former Federal Reserve regulator who teaches finance at Boston University, said Dundon’s record is an important consideration.—
Tony Schick,
ProPublica,
3 Oct. 2025
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The program teaches children about connections between people, animals and the environment, and ways to engage locally to help all three.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This algorithm then informs what appears in playlists, such as Discover Weekly and Blend, as well as what appears on your Home page.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
3 Oct. 2025
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Why chemical agents matter The choice of chemical agent informs the scale of carbon removal.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As Tom tells Robbie to put his gun down, the screen goes black.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
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The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Vanessa Bates Ramirez,
Scientific American,
1 Oct. 2025
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The exhibition also educates visitors on the policies that shaped — and threatened — neighborhoods.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In case that wasn't enough of a wink from the show's creators, there's a scene in the finale where the head nurse at the institution holding Gein advises him to write a book, noting that so many other people have taken liberties with his story.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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What Else to Consider Despite their benefits, Alsing advises considering the cost and overall nutritional value.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When the King orders Ji-yeon to be the royal cook, the two begin to grow closer.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
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Miami cancels school, orders state of emergency About 10 minutes to the west, the community of Miami was also recovering from intense flooding.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And while their land is private, anyone who asks respectfully is welcome to fish - a simple but powerful gesture.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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This movie asks you to listen closely to the dialogue, as there are a number of extended monologues that provide historical backdrop.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Indy commands the screen and earns his spot as a leader of the 2025 spooky season.—
Benjamin VanHoose,
PEOPLE,
3 Oct. 2025
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Even for Latines who aren’t necessarily Bad Bunny or reggaeton fans, the artist commands respect.—
Raquel Reichard,
Refinery29,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instructs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instructs. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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