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 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
If the department verifies a high-risk situation, the bill instructs it to assign the case as Priority I, meaning the child is in immediate danger or in a life-threatening situation, and DHW takes action immediately, according to department guidelines outlined in the Idaho Child Protection Manual.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 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
The directive also instructs the Los Angeles Police Department to preserve all evidence related to immigration enforcement operations so it can be reported.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
An acronym for Size, Activity, Location, Uniform, Time, Equipment, SALUTE is a mnemonic device that typically instructs soldiers how to systematically track details about enemies.
—Asra Q. Nomani , Alba Cuebas-Fantauzzi, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
If your dish fills quickly with water, replace the cap and empty the dish, instructs Thomas.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 4 Feb. 2026
In the same way humans might periodically scroll social media while working on other tasks, installing this file instructs the AI agents to periodically hang out on Moltbook.
—Tharin Pillay, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
If the department verifies a high-risk situation, the bill instructs it to assign the case as Priority I, meaning the child is in immediate danger or in a life-threatening situation, and DHW takes action immediately, according to department guidelines outlined in the Idaho Child Protection Manual.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 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
The directive also instructs the Los Angeles Police Department to preserve all evidence related to immigration enforcement operations so it can be reported.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
An acronym for Size, Activity, Location, Uniform, Time, Equipment, SALUTE is a mnemonic device that typically instructs soldiers how to systematically track details about enemies.
—Asra Q. Nomani , Alba Cuebas-Fantauzzi, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
If your dish fills quickly with water, replace the cap and empty the dish, instructs Thomas.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 4 Feb. 2026
In the same way humans might periodically scroll social media while working on other tasks, installing this file instructs the AI agents to periodically hang out on Moltbook.
—Tharin Pillay, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instructs
Verb
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Joshua Shifrinson, who teaches international policy at the University of Maryland, said the route has virtually shut down because some of Iran's retaliatory attacks have been aimed at oil vessels, which means Americans should brace for higher prices at the pump.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
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The eight-episode series, adapted from the 2022 novel by Julia May Jonas, closes with a fiery ending in a nod to the Gothic literature that Weisz’s English professor character teaches.—
Tiffany Kelly,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In typical 30 Rock fashion, the bit reaches the height of absurdity when someone informs Arthur that some of the tennis balls are meant to be actual tennis balls in the scene.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Doyle disappears down the corridor, and a title card informs us that Charnier got away.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Phil Alden Robinson directed Kevin Costner to one of the most beloved performances of his career as an average Iowan who hears a voice that tells him to build a baseball field.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Jokic either fell or flopped — depending on who tells it — over the top of George four minutes into the game when the burgeoning Utah star tried the maneuver.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Eric Sullivan,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
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Davis’ decisions impact the future of the top public university, which educates 55,000 students annually and employs 20,000 people.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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How to Pot and Repot Peach Trees Peach trees are fast growers, so Dickey advises choosing a dwarf variety bred for container growing.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
10 Mar. 2026
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Andersen advises ignoring any one particular economic indicator in favor of looking at longer term trends.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The agreement approved by the City Commission on Tuesday prohibits immigrant detainees from being released into Leavenworth unless they were arrested there or if a court specifically orders it.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
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Four-up works to Weis’s strengths When the wind drops, the race management orders the crews to reduce from their standard six on board in order to take weight out of the boat.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Dixie asks Buck, having previously ogled the shirtless firefighter during the Firefighter Games.—
Patrick Gomez,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Mar. 2026
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In a video, Obama asks Virginians to support the voter referendum on the redrawn maps.—
MEG KINNARD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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So commands the Creature to his creator Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley’s novel.—
Rory Doherty,
Time,
7 Mar. 2026
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The sales pitch hits squarely at the lifestyle that commands top dollar in today’s high-end market.—
David Caraccio
March 7,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instructs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instructs. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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