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
• coaches
• prepares
• guides
• preaches
• instills
• directs
• instils
• 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

When people violate the rules, the policy instructs the officer to first work to educate the rider to make sure they’re informed, rather than step right to enforcement. —Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines each contain mRNA, which instructs cells to manufacture the coronavirus spike protein, simulating infection with the virus. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Once the victim calls for tech support help, the scammer instructs them to download a program giving access to the victim’s computer. —Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 30 Aug. 2025

Johnson's order instructs federal officers operating in Chicago to wear body cameras, refrain from wearing masks, and clearly identify themselves by name and badge number. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025

The Bible instructs us to love our neighbors and pray for our enemies. —Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025

Continuing with the painfully 2000s theme, Tyler instructs fans to follow him on YouTube to close out the visual. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2025

Mangin instructs his line cooks to drop their reliance on thermometers and instead use cake testers, stabbing them inside the meat for five to ten seconds and pressing them against the inside of their wrists. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025

The new executive order instructs federal agencies to make any regulatory changes necessary to allow for private investments and other alternative investments, including cryptocurrency. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025