instructing

verb

present participle of instruct
1
as in teaching
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 informing
to give information to instructed everyone in the use of the new telephone system

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in telling
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority the proctors instructed everyone to put their pencils down and hand in their tests

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 instructing Biola University has been instructing students in film and television for a half century, but this week, the school just south of Los Angeles enters a whole new era. — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026 In the case of existing worms, the software is simply hard-coded to copy itself through computer networks or to spread by instructing infected computers to send emails containing copies of the malware. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 Burki also said when a holding room approaches capacity, an email is sent to field crews instructing them not to bring additional people in. — CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 Lecornu gathered law enforcement officials and government ministers for the emergency meeting, instructing his minister to cancel planned trips until the crisis is sufficiently addressed. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026 The city is also instructing developers to design 15% of the units for artist affordable housing. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026 University police issued the shelter-in-place order earlier Sunday night, instructing people to close windows and doors, report anything unusual to police and await further directions. — Adam Bednar, Baltimore Sun, 28 Sep. 2026 State legislators passed a law that year instructing the DOC to assess a daily cost to every person behind bars. — Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026 The Justice Department sent letters to 29 states and the District of Columbia instructing election officials not to destroy the records. — ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instructing
  1. teaching
  2. informing
  3. telling
  4. educating
  5. advising
  6. ordering
  7. asking
  8. commanding
Verb
  • The school is launching a new master of education degree and teaching credential program in July 2027.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In 2025, Dunham told Variety that Horvath is probably teaching at Bard College and enjoying raising her son.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of teaching
Verb
  • The White House press office sent letters to the news organizations on September 22, informing them of the reasons and their ability to contest the action, but that was four days after the ban was implemented.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Even her good friend Gizelle knew, and chose to gossip with Ashley instead of privately informing Tia off camera.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of informing
Verb
  • The ad also accuses his Democratic opponent, Brian Poindexter, of telling lies about him.
    — Lara Korte The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Our weak college presidents have avoided telling the truth for too long.
    — Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of telling
Verb
  • Torres is a board member of the Dallas Mexican American Historical League (DMAHL), a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about the city's Mexican American history.
    — Alexis Guerrero, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Even more impressive is the company’s commitment to the local community and environment, and to educating guests about the area’s Indigenous culture and heritage.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of educating
Verb
  • The indictment alleges that both men oversaw the dogs, with Stinson advising his son on their proper care.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Barker recalled giving a mutual guy friend some dating advice about just having fun and hooking up with women, advising him to think of dating as a sport, while trying to not get too emotionally invested.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of advising
Verb
  • There was no mention of a funeral in Adrien’s letter, and for a moment, Adelaide indulged the thought of ordering a carriage for Moscow.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Ask me before adding anything to my calendar, ordering something or contacting anyone.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of ordering
Verb
  • During a recent town hall at the Ivy League school, one student raised the question of a Greek life ban, asking student organizers if taking that step might improve the culture on campus.
    — Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Someone wants to hike; someone else would rather browse antique shops; a few people are already asking what’s for dinner.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of asking
Verb
  • Thomas capped the half with a 20-yard touchdown run in the final seconds, giving the Yellow Jackets three touchdowns in less than three minutes and a commanding 64-0 halftime lead.
    — Aliza Acuna, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026
  • ChatGPT is the most popular chatbot in the world, commanding nearly half the American marketplace, states said in their lawsuits.
    — Marc Levy, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of commanding

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instructing
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Cite this Entry

“Instructing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instructing. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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