Synonyms

instruct

American

[in-struhkt] / ɪnˈstrʌkt /

verb (used with object)

to furnish with knowledge, especially by a systematic method; teach; train; educate.

Synonyms:

school, indoctrinate, discipline, drill, coach, tutor
to furnish with orders or directions; direct; order; command.

The doctor instructed me to diet.

Synonyms:

prescribe
to furnish with information; inform; apprise.

Synonyms:

enlighten
Law. (of a judge) to guide (a jury) by outlining the legal principles involved in the case under consideration.

instruct British

/ ɪnˈstrʌkt /

verb

to direct to do something; order
to teach (someone) how to do (something)
to furnish with information; apprise
law
1. (esp of a client to his solicitor or a solicitor to a barrister) to give relevant facts or information to
2. to authorize (a barrister or solicitor) to conduct a case on a person's behalf
  
  to instruct counsel

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See teach.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of instruct

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin instructus, past participle of instruere “to equip, train, set in order,” equivalent to in- “in” + struc- (variant stem of struere “to put together”) + -tus past participle suffix; see in- ²

Explanation

This website is designed to instruct visitors about the meaning of words and their correct usage. To instruct is to give instructions, to teach. Teachers are often called instructors because their job is to instruct, to give knowledge or instructions. The subtle difference between "teach" and instruct is that you can teach almost anything: concepts, ideas, theories or, say, history. When you instruct someone, you're giving them a set of tools or tasks to do something specific. That's why furniture, toys, and model rocket kits come with instructions: they instruct you how to assemble them.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Instruct your negotiators to come to the July session ready to conclude," they said.

From Barron's • Jun. 15, 2026

Instruct it to plan an hour-long youth soccer practice, and it will draw up a better agenda in 15 seconds than a rookie coach might after 15 minutes of Googling.

From Washington Post • Apr. 19, 2023

Instruct by word and example to those of a prime learning age so they can carry on in life with knowledge of fair play, perspective and leadership.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2021

Instruct your browser to never open pop-up windows.

From New York Times • Aug. 11, 2016

"Instruct your nephew that he is to remain at Torrhen's Square, as his lord father commanded."

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023