as in informative
providing useful information or knowledge
an instructive demonstration of the proper way to pack a suitcase so your clothes don't arrive in a mess
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 instructive
The 1956 Suez Crisis and its aftermath remain particularly instructive.
—
Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
In part, that’s because the Davies brothers’ episodic script — which can be opaque one moment and overly instructive the next, in the way of so many debut features — knows to reserve Folarin’s rage for the fight to come when the sun goes down.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 May 2025
The timeline of Isaacman's nomination for NASA administrator is instructive.
—ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025
Here, the experience of Hefei, a Chinese city that has become a manufacturing center for electric vehicles—akin to a twenty-first-century Detroit—might be instructive.
—Damien Ma, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for instructive
Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
In part, that’s because the Davies brothers’ episodic script — which can be opaque one moment and overly instructive the next, in the way of so many debut features — knows to reserve Folarin’s rage for the fight to come when the sun goes down.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 May 2025
The timeline of Isaacman's nomination for NASA administrator is instructive.
—ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025
Here, the experience of Hefei, a Chinese city that has become a manufacturing center for electric vehicles—akin to a twenty-first-century Detroit—might be instructive.
—Damien Ma, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for instructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instructive
Adjective
-
Helen Hunt popped by Ted Danson's Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast to take part in a rich and informative conversation about their careers in film and television.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
3 July 2025
-
Consider producing informative, concise videos to provide optionality for content consumption while showcasing your personality.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
This educative strategy should include highlighting the many ways that lawyers selflessly give back to their communities.—
Blake D. Morant,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
While apples-to-apples comparisons aren’t possible, a look at the streaming businesses is educative for identifying longer-term trends.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Perhaps more illuminating was the discussion about ways the district could increase belonging.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 May 2025
-
Her sensible, non-dogmatic applications of spiritual insight are an illuminating delight.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instructive. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share