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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of instructs
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
Boulware instructs Ferrelli to go to Clemson’s football offices to meet with Sorrells and Swinney.
—Grace Raynor, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
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
Boulware instructs Ferrelli to go to Clemson’s football offices to meet with Sorrells and Swinney.
—Grace Raynor, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instructs
Verb
-
Brownell also gives a special shout out to Baduza, who improvised the moment during the celebration where Michaela teaches everyone how to perform the stag dance.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Feb. 2026
-
An afternoon session, also $1,399, teaches how to administer a fat-dissolving injection called Kybella.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And that informs the character.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Feb. 2026
-
That special relationship informs how Coogler moves through the industry today.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lots of the amenities, though (like the custom newspaper that tells you what to do in the area), are designed for self-sufficient guests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The real estate industry tells a similar, if less pronounced, story.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
27 Feb. 2026
-
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
-
Nguyen advises smelling the bacon grease, looking closely at it, and feeling it.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Triponel advises apparel companies around the world on how to effectively identify, prevent, mitigate, address and remediate human rights risks and impacts across their supply chains.—
Anna Triponel,
Sourcing Journal,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The weekly grocery bill has been around $500 with both kids living at home, and the family usually orders delivery twice a week, rotating between Chinese and Indian food, which typically costs $70, including leftovers.—
Eliza Shapiro,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2026
-
In a stunning reversal, the king orders Haman hanged, and Persian Jews are saved and a day is set aside for feasting.—
Betsy Andrews,
Saveur,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Matlock's season 2 midseason premiere features a scene in which an HR representative named Gwen (Sarah Wright-Olsen) asks the whereabouts of Billy Martinez (David Del Rio).—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Lisa asks him, which feels like a deliberate workaround to allude to his stalking past without getting her hands dirty.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While his velocity commands much of the attention, Miller’s focus going into 2026 is on consistency.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
-
As a nuclear power, Pakistan commands a sophisticated defense apparatus comprising an army, navy, air force, and marine corps.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instructs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instructs. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
