INSTRUCTIONS Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

instructions

noun

plural of instruction

as in directions

a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned needed an administrative assistant who was good at following instructions

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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 instructions Three days before the test, a hospital administrator from Southampton Hospital called to confirm the appointment and review the preparation instructions. — Scott Levenson, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026 Instead, the test showed how a human could direct a semi-autonomous platform while its software handled the details of executing instructions. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 Add keywords to photos in iOS 27 These instructions are based on an iPhone 15 Pro running iOS 27. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Apple’s new smart display sits in the center of the chaos on the kitchen table, helping the family check their calendars, send messages, and pull up a French toast recipe in seconds, with simple, step-by-step instructions. — Dominic Preston, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2026 Voters who have changed their names should bring their identification and be prepared to follow the poll worker's instructions. — S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Qualifying stock is transferred to Treasury and allocated to eligible children according to donor instructions and Treasury guidance. — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026 Next steps could include reducing the computational workload and connecting SANDO to machine-learning systems that accept plain-language instructions. — New Atlas, 11 Oct. 2026 The incident is part of a broader concern about AI agents acting beyond instructions, including a separate case in which Claude submitted forms to a government website. — Mae Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instructions

Noun

In keeping with the film‘s maximalist vibe, the noise around it keeps whipsawing in different directions, with defenders calling it a misunderstood masterpiece and detractors equally fervent in calling it a complete artistic disaster.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026
Also back here is a dual-pattern power supply mount with two captive screws that serve one of the two supported mounting directions.

— Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of directions

Noun

In the ensuing political turmoil, health workers went on strike, vaccine orders were delayed and follow-up vaccinations that usually accompany routine programs were disrupted.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Already, over Catholicism’s roughly 2,000-year history, women have become saints who founded missions and religious orders.

— Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of orders

Noun

The film by and large follows the edicts of Iranian neorealism, with unobtrusive observations and a naturalistic soundscape.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Many believe Beijing perceived Tung as a loyalist who would obey the Communist leadership’s edicts.

— Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of edicts

Noun

Wednesday’s filing marks the latest escalation in the legal fight over conditions at the facility and the government’s lack of compliance with the court’s directives.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Individual campuses in the CSU and UC can create their own policies in addition to systemwide directives.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of directives

Noun

This is, of course, the conception of fundamentalist theology, which threatens eternal hellfire for anyone who defies its commandments.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Wilde’s nine buttercream commandments show home bakers how to create visually striking, deeply personal cakes.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Definition of commandments

Noun

Their options include deploying lawyers to federal and state court to seek injunctions and using local law enforcement to make arrests under state law.

— Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
The injunctions request the existing agreements remain in place and that any disputes be resolved via mandatory arbitration.

— Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of injunctions

Browse Nearby Words

instructional

instructions

instructive

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“Instructions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instructions. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of instructions

noun

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