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 How to prep for colonoscopy In addition to that liquid diet, that's also when you may be instructed to take the medications provided by your doctor to help clear your bowels. Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 10 July 2025 To avoid immediate legal trouble, victims are often instructed to pay immediately, usually through prepaid gift cards, cryptocurrency ATMs, or wire transfers. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025 In mid-June, the judge found the attorney general in contempt, instructing him to provide her with biweekly updates on how the state was obeying her order blocking enforcement of the immigration law. Jay Weaver july 9, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025 Visitors are instructed to follow the signs and flags. Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for instruct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instruct
Verb
  • Unschooled children who need to pick up difficult-to-learn skills need to be taught stamina and commitment by their parents, rather than focusing on their happiness or satisfaction in the short term.
    Taylor Grothe, Parents, 9 July 2025
  • These days, Brewington is loving her work with Literacy KC, teaching adult learners to read.
    Mará Rose Williams July 9, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Some of his friends are aware, and Mayer spoke with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali to inform him of the campaign only the day prior, out of courtesy.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 5 July 2025
  • In May, an American Airlines plane canceled its takeoff at Washington National after it was informed that an aircraft was landing on an intersecting runway.
    Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • In Pakistan, her mother told her to set aside any pocket money and, once it’s accumulated, buy 24-karat gold coins.
    Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 13 July 2025
  • Sources familiar with the matter tell The Hollywood Reporter that the projections for the album — his seventh full-length — are estimated at about 150,000 to 160,000 album equivalent units for week one, while Hits magazine is projecting 175,000 units.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Lin was educated in China and Europe, but lived in the U.S. for three decades.
    Emily Feng, NPR, 5 July 2025
  • In 2021, the city created a civilian community liaison position to connect police with citizens and educate the public.
    Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • The Consumer Product Safety Commission advises that children do not use fireworks, including sparklers.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2025
  • The Context Diogo Jose Teixeira da Silva, who went by Diogo Jota, and his brother André died on Thursday while driving from Spain to England after a doctor advised them not to fly after Jota received minor lung surgery.
    Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • At his arraignment Sunday night at Brooklyn Criminal Court, he was ordered held on bail of $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond.
    Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
  • 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
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
  • Mize, though, is commanding the ball better than ever before, posting career highs in strike percentage and thriving with a career-best 69.7 first-pitch strike rate.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 6 July 2025
  • Oversight is divided between U.S. Army commands in Fort Bliss, Texas, and Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 5 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Instruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instruct. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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