1
as in certificate
a written or printed paper giving information about or proof of something
a valid will is a legal instrument
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2
as in tool
an article intended for use in work
always choose the right instrument for any woodworking job
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3
as in instrumentality
something used to achieve an end
he sees scouting as an instrument for building character in young people
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4
as in pawn
one that is or can be used to further the purposes of another
the claim that the scientists are mere instruments of the tobacco companies, who pay them to produce findings that are highly suspect
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instrument
And when detecting the artist approaching flow, the device would emit a subtle cue — a slight change in the sound of their instrument or the lighting — to give the brain a subconscious boost and thereby accelerate and enhance one’s immersion into flow.
—
Brandon Sneed, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2025
That means there's no motor or backup power for the control and motion systems for the foils, keel and rudder, or even the on-board computers and instruments.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 5 July 2025
Folk ensembles typically entail a mix of instruments, such as the guitarrón, the five-stringed vihuela, the harp and the trumpet.
—Michelle Mehrtens, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2025
The performances will feature four principal musicians (the best at their instrument), a conductor and a composer, who are all Black.
—Laura L. Davis, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for instrument
Brandon Sneed, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2025
That means there's no motor or backup power for the control and motion systems for the foils, keel and rudder, or even the on-board computers and instruments.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 5 July 2025
Folk ensembles typically entail a mix of instruments, such as the guitarrón, the five-stringed vihuela, the harp and the trumpet.
—Michelle Mehrtens, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2025
The performances will feature four principal musicians (the best at their instrument), a conductor and a composer, who are all Black.
—Laura L. Davis, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for instrument
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instrument
Noun
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Each of these courses and certificates, when completed and added to your resume/LinkedIn profile, has the potential to lead you to making $100,000 in income.—
Rachel Wells,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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The suspects allegedly submitted thousands of fraudulent genealogical certificates, some of which bore the names of popular singers like Shakira and J Balvin, and charged clients between €6,000 and €8,000 ($6,000 and $9,400) for citizenship applications.—
Orge Castellano,
Sun Sentinel,
7 July 2025
Noun
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And Marcus Wheatland, known as the doctor of the swells, was a medical practitioner and a pioneer of X-rays as a diagnostic tool.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
8 July 2025
-
Amazon is dropping deals on tons of outdoor essentials, like string lights, gardening tools, and patio furniture.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
7 July 2025
Noun
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Amtrak is also not considered a department, agency or instrumentality of the United States Government and its overseeing regulatory body, the OIG, remains open during shutdowns as well.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA TODAY,
20 Dec. 2024
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Amtrak is also not considered a department, agency or instrumentality of the United States Government and its overseeing regulatory body, the OIG, remains open during shutdowns as well.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA TODAY,
20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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As something of a pawn in the game of tactical chess between Ferreira and Paiva, the broad conclusion was that the experiment did not quite work out for the teenager.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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Investigators reported finding a receipt matching those items sold to a pawn shop, where Tate provided his Tennessee driver’s license to conduct the transaction, according to the report.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2025
Noun
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The administration also revoked Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, froze research funding, and pressed the university on DEI policies and campus protests.—
Patrick Maguire,
CBS News,
29 June 2025
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The independent health care accreditation and certification organization has launched a couple high-profile, high-tech partnerships in recent weeks.—
Alexis Kayser,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
Noun
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As Lopez alluded to, the device is made from a flexible silicone that sits flush on the skin for optimal, comfortable wear.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
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Many of us had to study the changes between models to truly appreciate the brand’s efforts to improve an already beloved device.—
Jesa Marie Calaor,
Allure,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
Officials reminded the public of the dangers of keeping an animal inside an unattended vehicle, especially on a summer day.—
Megan Forrester,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
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Several vehicles, including Collier County Sheriff cars, black SUVs and moving trucks, could be seen entering the facility on Tuesday morning.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
Noun
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At least two of the agents are reportedly appealing the move.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
10 July 2025
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Ian Pulver, Miller’s agent, credited Drury for how the GM handled the situation.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instrument.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instrument. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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