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
That makes the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 something of an event, and arguably the most important tech instrument of the year.
—
Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
The Score – Listen in as the composer and director talk about the challenges of creating the score's various themes — and using unusual instruments and techniques — to bring emotion and drama to this unique thriller.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
Any financial instruments mentioned herein are speculative in nature and may involve risk to principal and interest.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 9 June 2025
The Time Has Come A stablecoin, a digital dollar, is an instrument whose time has come.
—Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for instrument
Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
The Score – Listen in as the composer and director talk about the challenges of creating the score's various themes — and using unusual instruments and techniques — to bring emotion and drama to this unique thriller.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
Any financial instruments mentioned herein are speculative in nature and may involve risk to principal and interest.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 9 June 2025
The Time Has Come A stablecoin, a digital dollar, is an instrument whose time has come.
—Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for instrument
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instrument
Noun
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Google's career certificates—offered through platforms like Coursera—can be completed in just three to six months, providing a fast, practical pathway into high-demand AI roles.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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Leaving prison with $20 and a high school equivalency certificate, Fauteck straightened up.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
Noun
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On the other side are anti-AI zealots, contributing an oversized backlash over anyone who uses AI tools in their work.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
13 June 2025
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By using his platform to center healing and hope, Keith is demonstrating how hip-hop—so often seen as a force for expression—can also be a powerful tool in the fight against cancer.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
13 June 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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Rick McConnell said that Jerry McConnell asked the employee at the pawn shop for directions to the Prairie Village shopping center.—
Bella Waters,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
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In a subplot, Paul Baker and Samir visit a pawn shop to try to sell a gun Samir doesn’t want in the house, but Paul Baker struggles to talk to the owner, who seems progressive in his actions and beliefs, and completely retrograde in his language.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
27 May 2025
Noun
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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had ordered the termination of Harvard’s SEVP certification, citing the university’s refusal to turn over the conduct records of foreign students requested in April by her agency.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
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That often means that not only are beautiful, grandiose ideas left on the cutting-room floor, but even coffeemakers can get nixed for not passing certification.—
Daniel Cote,
Robb Report,
4 June 2025
Noun
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And those devices, unsurprisingly, will largely run on AI.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
8 June 2025
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The assailant, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, reportedly in the U.S. illegally, used homemade Molotov cocktails and a flamethrower-like device to target peaceful marchers.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2025
Noun
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Then the line of tactical vehicles and trucks backed out and left in the other direction.—
Rachel Uranga,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
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In response, Musk has floated – and then retracted – the idea of decommissioning a SpaceX vehicle critical to NASA's spaceflight program.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
Noun
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Then in September, a Secret Service agent spotted the muzzle of a rifle sticking out of a fence in bushes at Trump's West Palm Beach golf club while scouting the course ahead of Trump.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
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The writer’s death on June 3 was confirmed by his husband, Michael Carroll, and agent Bill Clegg, The New York Times, The Guardian and NBC News report.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instrument.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instrument. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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