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
The injury took place when an apparatus used by athletes to attach warmup bands to instruments malfunctioned, according to an ESPN report.
—
Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
D’Angelo was raised in a deeply religious Pentecostal family and got his musical start in the church, becoming a virtuoso at several instruments.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
Picture yourself in an old observatory on a crisp, starry autumn night—bronze instruments glinting in the dim light, surrounded by aged leather and parchment maps.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025
No instruments, no stems — just one dense block of sound.
—Alma Rota, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
This is because scientists wanted to preserve them for a later date when more advanced instruments could be used for their analysis.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2025
His real mistake was to treat myths as dead fossils rather than as living instruments—still moving minds, still shaping worlds.
—Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Since these are not high-energy lasers, these defenses may require no more than switching off instruments or turning them away from the threat.
—New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2025
Three years at the symphony Starting on his first day, July 27, 2020, Jones’ responsibilities included assigning parts to musicians, managing instruments, arranging production with stage crews and leading the percussion section’s performance.
—Matti Gellman, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
D’Angelo was raised in a deeply religious Pentecostal family and got his musical start in the church, becoming a virtuoso at several instruments.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
Picture yourself in an old observatory on a crisp, starry autumn night—bronze instruments glinting in the dim light, surrounded by aged leather and parchment maps.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025
No instruments, no stems — just one dense block of sound.
—Alma Rota, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
This is because scientists wanted to preserve them for a later date when more advanced instruments could be used for their analysis.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2025
His real mistake was to treat myths as dead fossils rather than as living instruments—still moving minds, still shaping worlds.
—Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Since these are not high-energy lasers, these defenses may require no more than switching off instruments or turning them away from the threat.
—New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2025
Three years at the symphony Starting on his first day, July 27, 2020, Jones’ responsibilities included assigning parts to musicians, managing instruments, arranging production with stage crews and leading the percussion section’s performance.
—Matti Gellman, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instruments
Noun
-
As part of the investigation, requested certificates of veterinary inspection from all 50 states and received records accounting for nearly 88,000 dogs.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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Compasses and depth gauges are displayed alongside archival watches and patent certificates.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
With natural, biodegradable, and inexpensive components, such batteries could one day provide an eco-friendly alternative for powering homes or small devices without relying on toxic metals or complex supply chains.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Officials suspect that three explosive devices were dropped in the parking lot.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Excel performs better with large worksheets and offers a wider range of analytical and statistical tools, including advanced charting.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Retail investors, HODLers, or less experienced investors may not utilize these tools, but that is rapidly changing.—
Sean Stein Smith,
Forbes.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
California began offering these certifications in 2022.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Risk-mapping across business units, reassessing compliance as a governance responsibility, and exploring voluntary certifications or alliances establish new baselines for trust and safety.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Doctors Without Borders emergency center in the neighborhood of Turgeau had temporarily closed in March 2025 after armed men opened fire on four of the organization's vehicles that were evacuating staff from the center.—
NPR,
NPR,
17 Oct. 2025
-
In addition, the house includes two parking spots, granting ample parking space for two vehicles.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
My values include the beliefs that all of our students should feel safe, respected, and valued in our schools, that decisions should be made on the best available evidence and data, that our kids are not political pawns, that inclusion creates opportunity, and that schools shouldn’t ban books.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Remember the big picture, people, and stop using taxpayers as pawns, or worse yet, collateral damage.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
For Brentford, the end can often be said to justify the means.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
How To Keep Skunks Away Removing potential food sources and excluding skunks from an area are the most effective means of keeping them away from your home.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Cavazos says this work — chasing leads or even, at times, following ICE agents — to alert the community can be hard, especially now that the Department of Homeland Security regularly accuses groups like Cavazos' of interfering with their jobs and endangering the lives of immigration officers.—
Marisa Peñaloza,
NPR,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Typically, by the time the first scene hits the screen, handfuls (more likely hordes) of people have had first looks including cast, crew, friends, family, media, agents, managers, publicists, etc.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instruments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instruments. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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