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
In a routine step near the end of a flight, the air traffic controller handling approaches into LaGuardia instructs the pilots of Air Canada Express Flight 8646 pilots to contact the airport’s control tower, which will guide them the rest of the way.
—
Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Daisy instructs her to focus on making beds and forget the laundry, but Alesia can’t help herself from folding one million towels in the middle of the boat 40 minutes before the guest’s arrival.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
The memo also instructs department heads to limit discretionary spending until further notice.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026
Stone said parts of the Bible instructs people how to shave.
—Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
To Ikegami, who presented his findings at a recent conference, this suggests that the music instructs us on how to move—and that runners and Parkinson’s patients, for example, might get better results with vertical music, whereas horizontal music lends itself to stretching and yoga.
—Jesse Greenspan, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
The governor’s order instructs Florida agencies to prevent the two groups and those who have provided them material support from receiving contracts, employment and funds from a state executive or cabinet agency.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Falcinelli’s lawyers allege the manufacturer that makes the leg-hobble restraints that North Miami Beach police use — Ripp International Restraints — clearly instructs its customers not to use them to hog-tie an individual.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
According to the lawsuit, Cuellar and Tipping signed up for training that instructs bicycle officers on dealing with unruly people.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Daisy instructs her to focus on making beds and forget the laundry, but Alesia can’t help herself from folding one million towels in the middle of the boat 40 minutes before the guest’s arrival.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
The memo also instructs department heads to limit discretionary spending until further notice.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026
Stone said parts of the Bible instructs people how to shave.
—Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
To Ikegami, who presented his findings at a recent conference, this suggests that the music instructs us on how to move—and that runners and Parkinson’s patients, for example, might get better results with vertical music, whereas horizontal music lends itself to stretching and yoga.
—Jesse Greenspan, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
The governor’s order instructs Florida agencies to prevent the two groups and those who have provided them material support from receiving contracts, employment and funds from a state executive or cabinet agency.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Falcinelli’s lawyers allege the manufacturer that makes the leg-hobble restraints that North Miami Beach police use — Ripp International Restraints — clearly instructs its customers not to use them to hog-tie an individual.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
According to the lawsuit, Cuellar and Tipping signed up for training that instructs bicycle officers on dealing with unruly people.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instructs
Verb
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Physician David Agus, who teaches at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, held his ghostwriter responsible for the many instances of plagiarism that were identified in his popular science books.—
Emily Hodgson Anderson,
The Conversation,
25 Mar. 2026
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There is a synergy, too, between Nabeel and the students Razak teaches.—
Danny Hajjar,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Lord John informs his sad-sack drunk son William that his cousin Ben died and Ben’s surprise widow Amaranthus and baby Trevor appeared at his doorstep.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
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Their work also informs creative direction, messaging, and timing across channels, helping teams apply audience insights in ways that can inform more aligned campaign decisions.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The alert tells the pilots exactly what to do to avoid the collision.—
Clara McMichael,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
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The state Department of Public Health did not respond in time for this article regarding how many nursing homes have closed in the state in the last two years and what the agency tells families in such a transition.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Paul M. Sutter,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
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The seat belonging to David Ko sat empty once again during the March 10 school board meeting of Niles Township High School District 219, which educates students in Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove and Niles.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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To reduce the chances of snakes around your home, TPWD advises keeping your lawn trimmed low and removing brush, woodpiles, rocks, and debris where snakes and rodents may hide.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
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Nationwide advises talking to your tax preparer to determine whether this strategy makes sense for you.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The legislation orders West Bank military courts — which try only Palestinians — to make the death penalty the default sentence for those convicted, except in special circumstances.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
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Ellie finally leaves after Daisy orders her back to the cabin.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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July 23 – August 22 Leo, your spark asks to be seen.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
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The ballot question asks voters whether Virginia’s Constitution should be temporarily amended to allow the legislature to adopt a new mid-decade election map for upcoming races.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Like Wawa, in Pennsylvania, and H-E-B, in Texas, Publix—founded in 1930 by a former Piggly Wiggly manager in Winter Haven, Florida—is a regional chain that commands an almost religious devotion.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Trump still commands strong support among his party, especially with MAGA Republicans.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instructs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instructs. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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