as in means
something used to achieve an end
computer literacy is only an instrumentality for acquiring an education, and not an end in itself
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instrumentality
But the instrumentality of so many of his characters seems to have reached a nadir in The City and Its Uncertain Walls.
—
Bailey Trela, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
Moore said Tuesday, after the meeting, that the city controlling the budget would not be a legal conflict of interest, as the PAB is an instrumentality of Baltimore City.
—Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2024
To effect these seizures, the FBI will simultaneously issue commands that will interfere with the hackers’ control over the instrumentalities of their crimes (the Target Devices), including by preventing the hackers from easily re-infecting the Target Devices with KV Botnet malware.
a.
—Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2024
The common thread here is a blatant, self-serving instrumentality incapable of distinguishing between the desire for order and the desire for domination, between the good of all and one’s own good.
—Jack Butler, National Review, 31 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for instrumentality
Bailey Trela, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
Moore said Tuesday, after the meeting, that the city controlling the budget would not be a legal conflict of interest, as the PAB is an instrumentality of Baltimore City.
—Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2024
To effect these seizures, the FBI will simultaneously issue commands that will interfere with the hackers’ control over the instrumentalities of their crimes (the Target Devices), including by preventing the hackers from easily re-infecting the Target Devices with KV Botnet malware.
a.
—Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2024
The common thread here is a blatant, self-serving instrumentality incapable of distinguishing between the desire for order and the desire for domination, between the good of all and one’s own good.
—Jack Butler, National Review, 31 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for instrumentality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instrumentality
Noun
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With complete antiballistic missile means, China can significantly contain the enemy's strategic strike capabilities, which is of great significance.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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His or her voice is the means by which the author’s work is bodied forth, and is the main channel along which thought and feeling are to flow.—
Adam Verner
September 3,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Monday’s launch was something like an initial public offering, enabling holders of the token to trade them like stocks or other financial instruments.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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Venezuela has thus far been able to utilize its oil reserves as leverage, portraying itself not merely as a worthy recipient for Chinese aid and an instrument to harass Washington, but rather a strategic asset for Beijing.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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These cutting agents, including potent synthetic opioids and animal tranquilizers, increase the risk of fatal overdoses.—
David Ferrara,
The Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
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The agent also proposes that player power — and agent power — is another leading factor.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Now that beta test vehicles have been created, the company will use those to validate ride quality, handling, braking, thermodynamics, aerodynamics and sound insulation calibrations and engineering.—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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Comprehensive coverage for specialty vehicles that includes the engine, transmission, primary drive assembly, drive axle, cooling system, steering, suspension, brakes and more.—
Brian Sloan,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Dissenting voices Twelve months after Maduro’s disputed victory in the presidential election – a vote in which the government did not publish a final vote count, and which prompted a vast international outcry – the government’s repressive machinery continues.—
Andrew Raine,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
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From personalized advising bots to generative syllabi, AI is quietly reshaping the machinery of higher education.—
Dr. Aviva Legatt,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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How do these different agencies work together?—
Kristen Edgreen Kaufman,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Congress had enacted byzantine eligibility requirements for disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits, forcing the agency to expend huge amounts of time and money running those programs.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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With the deal set to expire in October, the snapback mechanism could reinstate sanctions that had been lifted.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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In Indiana, teacher injury data is collected through Data Exchange, the standard data submission mechanism for schools.—
IndyStar,
IndyStar,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Over time, high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can damage nerves, kidneys, eyes, feet, skin, and other organs.—
Amber J. Tresca,
Verywell Health,
6 Sep. 2025
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Gynecological Conditions Problems in the female reproductive organs can cause radiating pain to the lower right back.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instrumentality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instrumentality. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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