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
The federal government maintains about 200 ocean buoys, as well as gliders and other instruments that can measure what's happening below the surface of the ocean.
—
Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 19 May 2025
Meanwhile, these landers must avoid hazardous terrain and rely on sunlight to power their instruments and recharge their batteries.
—Zhenbo Wang, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
For the locals who couldn’t afford one of his instruments, dumpster diving to obtain a guitar was frequent and critical.
—Nate Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
The 2025 Lincoln Navigator flagship gets dramatic new looks and features, including dramatic exterior lights, a new body and a high-def 48-inch instrument display stretching nearly the width of the big SUV’s dashboard.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for instrument
Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 19 May 2025
Meanwhile, these landers must avoid hazardous terrain and rely on sunlight to power their instruments and recharge their batteries.
—Zhenbo Wang, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
For the locals who couldn’t afford one of his instruments, dumpster diving to obtain a guitar was frequent and critical.
—Nate Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
The 2025 Lincoln Navigator flagship gets dramatic new looks and features, including dramatic exterior lights, a new body and a high-def 48-inch instrument display stretching nearly the width of the big SUV’s dashboard.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for instrument
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instrument
Noun
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The program formally allows students to apply for a visa to study in the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem informed the school, however, its certificate had been revoked.—
Jackson Walker,
Baltimore Sun,
22 May 2025
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Her accomplishments include earning AVID awards, earning her Red Cross babysitting basics certificate, an Exceptional Seagull Award and Breakfast of Champions Award in humanities at her school.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Jobs emerged in an era when the cost of coordination was high and the tools for distributing tasks were limited.—
John Winsor,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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There’s no one tool that’s gonna work for the duration.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 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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What follows across ten episodes are assassination attempts, uneasy alliances, and deft political manoeuvring as the regents use Blackthorne like a pawn.—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
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At that point, the Kremlin can use Iran as a pawn to make deals with other powers.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
5 May 2025
Noun
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Harvard’s lawsuit said the administration violated the government’s own regulations for withdrawing a school’s certification.—
Collin Binkley,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2025
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Harvard The Trump administration on Thursday revoked Harvard’s ability to enroll international students by terminating its Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
Noun
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After Cecilie reported Oscar, the police went to the Hoffmanns' house to seize the devices Oscar had access to.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
16 May 2025
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The highest tier, which is $20.99 a month, includes the ability to stream on four devices and offers 4K Ultra HD video quality and 100 downloads.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
Noun
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That's far from the only change the Japanese company is making to its only fully-electric vehicle for the U.S. market.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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The startup employs 170 people, including experts with backgrounds at electric vehicle companies Rivian and Tesla.—
Caroline Petrow-Cohen,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2025
Noun
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When Mission: Impossible began, and Cruise had not yet completed his transformation into a celluloid being whose veins flowed with red carpets, his character, Ethan Hunt, had more modest concerns, like finding moles in the IMF and protecting the identities of undercover CIA agents.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
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The agents, most of which are set to be available by the end of 2025, can perform a variety of tasks; one handles sourcing and procurement, while another creates and manages quotes and still another orchestrates stock and handles in-store inventory details.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instrument.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instrument. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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