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 scene shortly after the attack was tense, as law enforcement agents with a police dog walked through the streets looking for threats and instructed the public to stay clear of the mall.
—
Colleen Slevin, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
And the trio of senators supported an amendment to the budget resolution earlier this year that would have removed the language instructing the committee overseeing Medicaid to make $880 billion in cuts.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 2 June 2025
The order instructed the Department of Education to investigate academic institutions that failed to comply.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
In March, Trump signed an executive order establishing a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, instructing federal agencies to treat bitcoin as a long-term store of value.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for instruct
Colleen Slevin, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
And the trio of senators supported an amendment to the budget resolution earlier this year that would have removed the language instructing the committee overseeing Medicaid to make $880 billion in cuts.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 2 June 2025
The order instructed the Department of Education to investigate academic institutions that failed to comply.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
In March, Trump signed an executive order establishing a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, instructing federal agencies to treat bitcoin as a long-term store of value.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for instruct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instruct
Verb
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Part of the campaign includes a limited edition Squish the Bug home plate turf mat designed to teach Little Leaguers the fundamentals of batting.—
John Perrotto,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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They are set to teach at a school in Morocco’s capital Rabat that follows the American model of education.—
Anna Cooban,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Attendees had been informed of the location just 48 hours in advance.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
31 May 2025
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According to a source with knowledge of the matter, who, like all in this article, wishes to remain anonymous to protect relations, Earps informed Wiegman of her decision to retire in April, but the England boss asked her to reconsider.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Burt Reynolds told Business Insider in 2016 that, like Pacino, he was offered and turned down the part.—
Mike Miller Published,
EW.com,
7 June 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,
7 June 2025
Verb
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The hands-on displays are designed to educate about teamwork, deduction, health care, coordination, agility and cognitive thinking, among others.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2025
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Many school districts pay private providers to educate students with special needs.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Whether ships will sail from homeports during storms, the cruise company advises guests and future cruisers to opt-in to text alerts to get messages regarding on schedule changes.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2025
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First, start with shattering functional silos, the researchers advise.—
Joe McKendrick,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Showtime has ordered an eighth season of its drama The Chi, putting the show into rare company at the outlet.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
29 May 2025
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As part of his administration’s campaign against DEI programs, Trump has also ordered federal agencies, including FERC, to stop considering environmental justice in decision-making.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Think about the vast difference between typing in keywords to get hyperlinks, and simply asking an intelligent entity a question.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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The response from her daughter was electric, and people began to comment on the fun design and ask about her interest in ballet.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Walz, while lacking the same national exposure that some of his potential rivals have commanded this year, remains actively engaged across the country.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
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The driving beat keeps the pressure up, as Who’s voice reaches a new stratosphere, commanding you to get to the nearest dancefloor ASAP.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instruct. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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