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
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Recent Examples of instructive
Of those, the late, legendary Kodak photographer Neil Montanus was responsible for more than 50, which frequently were instructive, his photographer son Jim Montanus said.
—
Marcia Greenwood, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
The Houthis and the politics of regional instability The Houthis in Yemen, one of the conflict participants that remained surprisingly silent at the outbreak of the war, are instructive for understanding the region’s complicated and fractured dynamics.
—Ioana Emy Matesan, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
Their institutional design is instructive.
—Guy Vernet, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
History of great cities and wars is instructive here.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instructive
Marcia Greenwood, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
The Houthis and the politics of regional instability The Houthis in Yemen, one of the conflict participants that remained surprisingly silent at the outbreak of the war, are instructive for understanding the region’s complicated and fractured dynamics.
—Ioana Emy Matesan, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
Their institutional design is instructive.
—Guy Vernet, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
History of great cities and wars is instructive here.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instructive
Adjective
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This excursion was informative and entertaining, and focused on the intricacies and dangers of fishing off the coast of Alaska.—
Aaron Saunders,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
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The book is lyrically written and highly informative, diving deep into the common threads and tropes of estrangement in search of clarity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The other, extending protections to educational institutions, was vetoed.—
Elliot Cosgrove,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
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The information provided is for educational purposes and should not be construed as financial, investment or trading advice.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
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The new contract also included compensation for eight additional days added to the academic calendar in fall 2024 to make up for lost days from the 2022 teachers strike, even though the academic calendar has gone back to the pre-2024 number of instructional days.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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After working in special education for almost two decades, Lomblot retired in June 2023 from her position as an instructional assistant with the Abraxas adult transition program.—
Amy Stark Shireman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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Together, broadcasting and telecommunications account for more than $60 billion in the Canadian economy and provide essential infrastructure for the exchange of cultural and informational resources necessary for the functioning of a Canadian democratic society.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Watching Irina Morozova use her own tooth to have a few illuminating chats with her fellow inmates via Morse code, I was powerfully reminded of the gulf between her, a woman made of adamantium, and me, a soft little house cat in human form.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
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And somehow all these conversations have been equally illuminating.—
Brittany Delay,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instructive. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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