1
as in to teach
to cause to acquire knowledge or skill in some field
spent his military career instructing young pilots
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to inform
to give information to
instructed everyone in the use of the new telephone system
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to tell
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
the proctors instructed everyone to put their pencils down and hand in their tests
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instruct
The trial court merely instructed counsel not to manage petitioner’s testimony during that break.
—
Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2025
What is perhaps more unspeakable is that 30 Border Patrol agents called the Chicago Police Department for assistance after a mob formed around the crime scene, and the Chicago Police Department’s Chief of Patrol instructed his officers to STAND DOWN.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
The alert also instructs any residents of Hugine Suites, who are not currently in the dormitory, to report to Smith–Hammond–Middleton Memorial Center, an Orangeburg arena.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
The message instructed officers not to respond to a Saturday morning ramming on the southwest side of the city in which an armed woman was shot and agents were boxed in and surrounded.
—Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin , Matt Finn , Michael Tobin, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instruct
Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2025
What is perhaps more unspeakable is that 30 Border Patrol agents called the Chicago Police Department for assistance after a mob formed around the crime scene, and the Chicago Police Department’s Chief of Patrol instructed his officers to STAND DOWN.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
The alert also instructs any residents of Hugine Suites, who are not currently in the dormitory, to report to Smith–Hammond–Middleton Memorial Center, an Orangeburg arena.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
The message instructed officers not to respond to a Saturday morning ramming on the southwest side of the city in which an armed woman was shot and agents were boxed in and surrounded.
—Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin , Matt Finn , Michael Tobin, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instruct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instruct
Verb
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Michael Meredith, an avid duck hunter, will teach basic calling techniques.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Oct. 2025
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Becoming a psychologist taught me a great deal about healing, forgiveness and grace – and how all of that must start with ourselves.—
Angela Kenzslowe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What has lived as a secret sauce inside Carlyle for more than a decade might now inform policymakers flying blind.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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Potts informed reporters on Wednesday that three people injured during the attack are still hospitalized.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Trump told Fox News later Wednesday that the hostages would probably be released on Monday.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
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The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tedesco learned about Reparation Generation last year through a church group and further got involved by hosting home meetings this year to educate others about the organization's work.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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McGawley adds, advising that the least successful way to pass along money and assets is to wait until children reach an age milepost such as 30 and then hand over a substantial income without any scaffolding.—
Christina Binkley,
Robb Report,
11 Oct. 2025
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Malcolm is understandably furious (and his uncle has only recently advised him that revenge is the best way to mend a broken heart).—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mayor Chris Carney said the town received two drones for the price of one because Mooresville was among the first communities in the country to order the new technology.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
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In September, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy cited the pursuit of innovation, collaboration and connection in ending the company’s three-days-in the-office hybrid model and ordering employees — including those at the company’s Bay Area offices — back in five days a week.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While other people were asking about promotions, titles, and raises, Burns was taking on the problems nobody else wanted to solve.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
9 Oct. 2025
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McMahon has encouraged states to ask her to waive rules on spending the money.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Swift had previously become the first and only artist ever to command all 10 spots in the top 10 of the Hot 100.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
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Will the Bears improve to 3-2, or will the Commanders get to a commanding 4-2 record on Monday Night Football?—
Gabe Smallson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instruct. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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