instruct

Synonym Chooser

How is the word instruct different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of instruct are discipline, educate, school, teach, and train. While all these words mean "to cause to acquire knowledge or skill," instruct suggests methodical or formal teaching.

instructs raw recruits in military drill

Where would discipline be a reasonable alternative to instruct?

While in some cases nearly identical to instruct, discipline implies training in habits of order and precision.

a disciplined mind

When is educate a more appropriate choice than instruct?

The words educate and instruct are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, educate implies development of the mind.

more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person

When can school be used instead of instruct?

While the synonyms school and instruct are close in meaning, school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master.

schooled the horse in five gaits

When is it sensible to use teach instead of instruct?

The meanings of teach and instruct largely overlap; however, teach applies to any manner of imparting information or skill so that others may learn.

taught us a lot about our planet

When might train be a better fit than instruct?

Although the words train and instruct have much in common, train stresses instruction and drill with a specific end in view.

trained foreign pilots to operate the new aircraft

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of instruct One detainee reported seeing an officer instruct colleagues to turn off the CCTV camera. Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 21 July 2025 During take-home assessments: Candidates can use Claude when instructed to, but otherwise cannot use the tools. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 July 2025 Craig instructed his daughter to access the dark web to purchase the video-making service. Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025 During his first homestand in 2016, the then-rookie outfielder from Wyoming was instructed by Wright to take his family to dinner in the city. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for instruct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instruct
Verb
  • In boardrooms and locker rooms alike, we’re taught to chase the next title, the next win, the next peak.
    Don Yaeger, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • At a time when so many tourism markets are facing decline, Puerto Rico is teaching us a powerful lesson: culture drives the economy.
    Wilson Santiago Burgos, USA Today, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • Post-Earnings Positioning: Conversely, traders can wait for the earnings announcement and then evaluate the relationship between immediate and medium-term returns to inform their subsequent trading actions.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • For over 50 years, Travel + Leisure has informed and inspired millions of travelers, offering practical advice, essential travel news, and personal narratives from our network of on-the-ground writers around the world.
    Jamie Hergenrader, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • The city has been told the Water and Wastewater Authority should have their standard operational system active at that time, Bell said.
    Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 26 July 2025
  • The film tells the powerful true story of a blind Native American man who helped save lives during the Oklahoma City bombing.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 26 July 2025
Verb
  • The panel called on the convention crowd to educate themselves on their rights and speak out about their concerns — and not just online.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
  • And as the number of A schools creeps upward, that’s ignited a debate on whether Florida is grading its schools effectively, and whether grade inflation is masking continued difficulties educating students.
    Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Millions of people across the United States have been advised to limit outdoors activity amid concerns over high air pollution levels.
    Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
  • Redmond advises measuring the length, width, and height of your space, then determining where your sofa will be situated.
    Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • For a low-calorie, sugar-free option, order a Caffè Misto with 2% milk or a non-dairy milk, like coconut or almond milk.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 15 July 2025
  • Fans can order custom looks — and tiny accessories to match — at their local David's Bridal store by making an appointment with the alterations team, according to a press release.
    Erin Clack, People.com, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • The department published a serious note to its Facebook page early Monday after the Free Press asked about it.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
  • You’re asked to enroll your Wi-Fi smart thermostat in a bring-your-own-thermostat program.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • The rapid revolution occurring in artificial intelligence today bears striking resemblance to the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s, when countless companies commanded silly valuations while some genuinely great businesses suffered brutal punishment in the stock market.
    Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • This year, Netflix commanded 120, ranking second among platforms and up from last year’s 107 noms.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Instruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instruct. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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