Synonyms of instructs

instructs

verb

present tense third-person singular of instruct

1

as in teaches

to cause to acquire knowledge or skill in some field

spent his military career instructing young pilots

Synonyms & Similar Words

• teaches
• educates
• schools
• indoctrinates
• lessons
• trains
• tutors
• informs
• prepares
• coaches
• guides
• preaches
• instills
• directs
• lectures
• grounds
• leads
• mentors
• moralizes
• introduces
• qualifies
• inculcates
• initiates
• drills
• enlightens
• edifies
• familiarizes
• primes
• shows
• imparts (to)
• retrains
• verses
• fits
• habilitates
• briefs
• rears
• implants
• homeschools
• catechizes
• reteaches
• reeducates
• reschools

2

as in informs

to give information to

instructed everyone in the use of the new telephone system

Synonyms & Similar Words

• informs
• advises
• tells
• teaches
• educates
• briefs
• apprises
• acquaints
• familiarizes
• enlightens
• notifies
• clears
• clues (in)
• verses
• hips
• fills in
• convinces
• alerts
• advertises
• assures
• catches up
• reassures
• wises (up)
• lets someone know
• keeps (someone) posted
• certifies
• discloses (to)
• announces (to)
• lectures
• schools
• warrants
• tutors
• disabuses
• disenchants
• undeceives
• disillusions

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misleads
• misinforms

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

• tells
• orders
• asks
• commands
• directs
• advises
• enjoins
• begs
• warns
• bosses (around)
• bids
• adjures
• appoints
• requires
• requests
• authorizes
• compels
• charges
• assigns
• entreats
• beseeches
• supervises
• obliges
• counsels
• manages
• forces
• leads
• conducts
• oversees
• petitions
• constrains
• coerces
• controls
• superintends
• commissions

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• follows
• minds
• obeys
• observes
• keeps
• complies (with)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of instructs

In this model, the device being signed into presents a code and instructs the user to enter it into a browser on a separate device. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026

Beside the cigarette vendor, another man is pulling a rainbow fishing net he's woven from its display on the long branch of a tree and instructs a cruiser to crouch before him. — Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026

For example, Florida’s traffic guidance instructs drivers that red means stop, yellow means stop if possible, and green means proceed when the intersection is clear. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026

This base pair substitution can, in some cases, radically change the shape of the protein the DNA instructs a cell to produce. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

With that, Kyle gives Oleksa a phone and instructs her to Signal chat all the info on Belarus safehouse locations, and the hunt is on. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026

Epic says the site instructs Windows users to press the Windows key and R, paste content from the clipboard and press Enter. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

The judge instructs the jury to go back and deliberate further. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

The Gap Between Agreement And Action​ Most change guidance instructs leaders how to gain commitment. — John Radman, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026