as in informative
providing useful information or knowledge
an instructive demonstration of the proper way to pack a suitcase so your clothes don't arrive in a mess
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Recent Examples of instructive
O’Brien’s Hot Ones observation is instructive about what fills the void left by traditional late night.
—
Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
LastPass's on-screen instructions also guide you through the setup process in a way that is both instructive and not too simplistic, which is great.
—Kim Key, PC Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026
His bemused reaction quickly morphed into something more instructive.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Madison and our moment Madison’s vision is instructive in this moment when debates on religious freedom often center on Christianity, especially in disputes over education, rights and discrimination.
—Corey D. B. Walker, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instructive
Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
LastPass's on-screen instructions also guide you through the setup process in a way that is both instructive and not too simplistic, which is great.
—Kim Key, PC Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026
His bemused reaction quickly morphed into something more instructive.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Madison and our moment Madison’s vision is instructive in this moment when debates on religious freedom often center on Christianity, especially in disputes over education, rights and discrimination.
—Corey D. B. Walker, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instructive
Adjective
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There are also deleted scenes and a trailer, and an accompanying booklet is stuffed with informative essays and interviews (including an analysis by the always astute film noir expert Travis Woods).—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
1 Apr. 2026
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People who find that buzzword-heavy corporate-speak profound and informative perform worse on measures of workplace leadership and decision-making.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Founded by marine life artist Wyland, the foundation empowers people of all ages to become stewards of our planet through hands-on educational programs, public art, and national initiatives like the Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation.—
CBS LA Staff,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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These reviews explored links between early birth or low birth weight and outcomes such as intelligence scores, school performance, and the need for additional educational support.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Perhaps most consequential in this move will be the expansion of the states’ authority and responsibility for educative quality within their jurisdictions.—
Blake D. Morant,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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While apples-to-apples comparisons aren’t possible, a look at the streaming businesses is educative for identifying longer-term trends.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Beyond the main performance stages, the center’s instructional spaces are tailored for drama studies as well as choral, band and orchestra programs, with soundproof practice rooms and breakout rooms featuring acoustic paneling, as well as instrument lockers.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Sephardic populations once regularly spoke Judeo-Spanish as an everyday language, reserving the calque variety for religious or instructional contexts.—
Bryan Kirschen,
The Conversation,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Early notices are informational, but later ones may warn of potential enforcement actions, such as liens or levies.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In one of the novel’s most illuminating scenes, Emily explains her novel to her sisters, reaching for their worn copy of Paradise Lost to make her point.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Mar. 2026
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The gals’ night together becomes an illuminating, madcap journey, transforming their feud into friendship.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instructive. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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