instructive

adjective

in-ˈstrək-tiv How to pronounce instructive (audio)
Definition of instructivenext
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

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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 instructive There’s no outstanding candidate available to England and, while Tuchel clearly got the second half against Argentina badly wrong, there’s merit in allowing that semi-final to become an instructive experience going forward. — The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 16 July 2026 There are instructive parallels with the arrival of SSRIs in the 1990s. — Max Moser, STAT, 9 July 2026 The case of Okinawa, a group of relatively poor islands in the south of Japan, is instructive. — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 The differing responses on either side of the Atlantic are instructive. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for instructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instructive
  1. informative
  2. educational
  3. educative
  4. instructional
  5. informational
  6. illuminating
Adjective
  • The main event figures to be an entertaining and informative war.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The show will be informative, fast paced, and packed full of big personalities.
    — Ellie Austin, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of informative
Adjective
  • What began as a weeklong music camp eventually turned into year-round educational programming, where students learn songwriting, music theory, recording and live performance before showcasing their work on the festival stage.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • And the loss of these students could impact district performance as cohorts move up in their educational careers; students who attend a pre-K program typically perform better in school compared to their peers who didn’t attend.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026
Definition of educational
Adjective
  • Perhaps most consequential in this move will be the expansion of the states’ authority and responsibility for educative quality within their jurisdictions.
    — Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 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
Definition of educative
Adjective
  • Instead of treating screens as the default tool for instruction, some schools are directing teachers to use laptops only when the technology adds clear instructional value.
    — Janice Mak, The Conversation, 30 July 2026
  • The question is whether accommodations are sometimes being asked to solve motivational, organizational, or instructional problems that require different solutions.
    — Scott White, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of instructional
Adjective
  • This article is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.
    — Ascend Agency, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The bill would also require campuses to notify students about available services through websites, informational materials and campus communications.
    — McKenna Mobley, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of informational
Adjective
  • Waiting four days may have been fatal to the recovery of some video that could have been more illuminating.
    — Michael Ruiz , Kelley Kramer, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
  • The most recent fundraising report was the most illuminating on the campaigns’ spending, given the proximity to the mid-August primary.
    — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2026
Definition of illuminating

Browse Nearby Words

instructions
instructive
instructor
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Cite this Entry

“Instructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instructive. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on instructive

Nglish: Translation of instructive for Spanish Speakers

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