1
as in certificates
a written or printed paper giving information about or proof of something
a valid will is a legal instrument
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in devices
an article intended for use in work
always choose the right instrument for any woodworking job
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in instrumentalities
something used to achieve an end
he sees scouting as an instrument for building character in young people
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in tools
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instruments
Grace's spaceship can be spun like a centrifuge to create artificial gravity so that scientific instruments will work properly.
—
Tara Haelle, NPR, 12 Apr. 2026
Indeed, during their flyby, the Artemis 2 astronauts saw parts of the far side never before seen with human eyes, which are incredibly capable instruments.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
While Stetson wrote most of the score in advance of ever seeing picture, allowing the miniseries’ directors to get a sense of the vibe well in advance, the composer wrote to picture for the final episodes, and played all of the instruments himself.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2026
The mission will carry a suite of instruments, the Lunar Vulkan Imaging and Spectroscopy Explorer (Lunar-VISE).
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
According to its website, the firm has calibrated more than 20,000 instruments supporting the Space Station and the earlier Space Shuttle Program.
—Brandon Lingle, Austin American Statesman, 10 Apr. 2026
The instruments will be laid in their soft cases.
—Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
At 8,000 feet under the ice, the two instruments will record earthquakes of magnitude 5 or greater anywhere on the planet with unprecedented accuracy and help to reveal new details of Earth’s deep interior in the process.
—Vanessa Bates Ramirez, Scientific American, 9 Apr. 2026
But those robotic spacecraft are loaded with sophisticated scientific instruments viewing the Moon in light waves across the electromagnetic spectrum.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
Tara Haelle, NPR, 12 Apr. 2026
Indeed, during their flyby, the Artemis 2 astronauts saw parts of the far side never before seen with human eyes, which are incredibly capable instruments.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
While Stetson wrote most of the score in advance of ever seeing picture, allowing the miniseries’ directors to get a sense of the vibe well in advance, the composer wrote to picture for the final episodes, and played all of the instruments himself.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2026
The mission will carry a suite of instruments, the Lunar Vulkan Imaging and Spectroscopy Explorer (Lunar-VISE).
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
According to its website, the firm has calibrated more than 20,000 instruments supporting the Space Station and the earlier Space Shuttle Program.
—Brandon Lingle, Austin American Statesman, 10 Apr. 2026
The instruments will be laid in their soft cases.
—Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
At 8,000 feet under the ice, the two instruments will record earthquakes of magnitude 5 or greater anywhere on the planet with unprecedented accuracy and help to reveal new details of Earth’s deep interior in the process.
—Vanessa Bates Ramirez, Scientific American, 9 Apr. 2026
But those robotic spacecraft are loaded with sophisticated scientific instruments viewing the Moon in light waves across the electromagnetic spectrum.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instruments
Noun
-
The fashion institute received 200 applications for the inaugural cohort of 15 students, who started in October and received certificates of completion in February, said Jacqueline Jenkins, the executive director of the school’s Center for Continuing and Professional Studies.—
Anne D'Innocenzio,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Idaho sold 5,655 lifetime certificates from 2021 through 2025, according to Idaho Fish and Game data provided to the Idaho Statesman, which includes hunting, fishing, and combo lifetime license.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Prosecutors say the pair threw two devices containing the explosive TATP and shrapnel, but the jar-sized bombs failed to detonate.—
Erica Byfield,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
-
This nifty little Anker portable power bank can juice up small devices (think AirPods, iPads, and phones) in a pinch.—
Abbey Hudetz,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Editing tools like Descript are also rushing into the growing market for digital clones.—
Taylor Lorenz,
Vanity Fair,
15 Apr. 2026
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Each new Home Depot location includes a dedicated pro team, along with digital tools designed to streamline ordering.—
Alexandria Mansfield,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The association has partnered since 2024 with EduClasses, which has bilingual classes for food-handler certifications.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Despite not releasing a new album in the past decade, Rihanna just became the first woman in the history of the music industry to surpass 200 million RIAA singles certifications.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Large trucks account for five per cent of the vehicles in the United States but play a role in ten per cent of fatal accidents.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Waymo and Waze announced the effort, which will use data collected by autonomous vehicles to identify road damage and share it with local governments.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
They were used as pawns in completely unrelated political battles.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
-
But, in the slammers investigation, nearly all the people being prosecuted were pawns—passengers who’d agreed to ride in cars.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
California is not unique, and housing is not the only means by which the older generations have effectively pulled up the ladder behind them.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Which is fortunate for Musselman, given there will be less means to lure players from the portal.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ashwin Sreenivas, president of AI startup Decagon, said the advent of coding agents has led to a number of shifts within his company.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The action kicked off in the Bronx, where agents descended on a Selwyn Ave.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instruments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instruments. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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