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instrument

instrument

77 5.5
A person or thing used by someone to carry out their plans
  • noun
  • /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
translation icon : instrumento
  • Recall that you are the vessel, an instrument of God's miracle of creation.
  • a policy instrument
  • a political instrument
  • an instrument of power

Towns formed around them because they were instruments of progress.

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Examples

  • The mobile phone is an instrument of freedom and an instrument of oppression.

  • The media can be an instrument of change.

  • OK, education as the greatest instrument of social justice in this country.

  • Common sense was a normally useful instrument turned dangerous in the wrong situation.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • We want to establish a government that will not be an instrument of foreign politics.

  • Since the 1990s, food aid has been the primary instrument of food security.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Towns formed around them because they were instruments of progress.

  • But the purpose is connect with God's love and to be an instrument of God's compassion.

  • You see, Clifford, the men Mr. Hughes uses as his instruments in the world are often themselves the makers of history.

  • Education is an important instrument for achieving social equality in society.

Synonyms

means
vsinstrument
842 2.7

A method or tool used to achieve something

is about a person or thing used to reach someone's goals
tool
vsinstrument
  • Offensive
587 4.0

A method or thing used by someone to achieve a goal, for example education

is a neutral term for being used to achieve another's goals
pawn
vsinstrument
  • Offensive
69 7.2

A person used by others to do what they want

is the general idea of being used, not necessarily exploited
instrumentality
vsinstrument
  • Formal
1 8.0

A thing that helps achieve a goal, like a tool or method

describes being a person or thing employed to meet goals
cat's-paw
vsinstrument
  • Informal
9.9

A person who someone else uses without them knowing

is the general used-for concept but not always unwitting

Antonyms

343 3.4

A thing or problem that makes it hard to reach a goal

21 5.7

A thing that makes it difficult to do something, like an injury or traffic

Compounds

A thing like a piano or guitar that you play to make music

A flat panel with dials and lights that shows condition and helps control a vehicle or machine

Tool like a microscope used to study or measure things

stringed instrument
  • Specialized
4 2.9

A musical instrument that makes sound when its strings are played, like a guitar or violin

surgical instrument
  • Specialized
3 3.8

A tool a surgeon uses during an operation to cut, hold, or move body tissue

A rough, not precise way to solve a problem that often causes harm

A thing you hit, shake, or scrape to make sound in music

A tool doctors use to check, treat, or operate on patients

debt instrument
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A document or digital record, like a bond, that shows someone owes money and when they must pay it back

An instrument that makes sound when you blow air through it, like a flute or trumpet

brass instrument
  • Specialized
1 3.4

A musical instrument played by blowing and making your lips buzz on a metal mouthpiece, like a trumpet or trombone

A tool made to cause severe pain to punish or force someone

A musical instrument that makes sound using electricity

1 6.1

A formal written document that creates a legal right or agreement

A tool that measures things like size or weight

instrument landing
  • Specialized
1 6.2

To land a plane using only instruments when the pilot cannot see the runway

1 4.1

A tool that shows you direction or position to help you find your way, for example a compass

negotiable instrument
  • Specialized
1 8.0

A written paper that promises payment of a certain amount to a named person or the holder when due

An instrument that makes sound when a reed vibrates, like a clarinet or saxophone

optical instrument
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A device with lenses or mirrors that helps you see things clearly

surveying instrument
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A tool that measures distance, angles, and height to map land

A musical instrument that makes sound when you blow air, often using a reed, like a clarinet or oboe

A musical instrument that makes sound when a thin piece of wood or cane vibrates as you blow

A string instrument played with a bow, like a violin

commercial instrument
  • Specialized
6.9

A legal document that businesses use to make or record payments

derivative instrument
  • Specialized
8.7

A financial product whose value comes from something like a stock or bond

5.0

A musical instrument that makes sound with two reeds, like an oboe or bassoon

drafting instrument
  • Specialized
4.9

A tool that helps make exact drawings like plans or blueprints

A device that makes musical sounds using electricity, like a synthesizer or keyboard

The act of signing a legal document so it becomes legally binding

free-reed instrument
  • Specialized
7.9

A wind instrument that makes sound when air moves a thin reed, like an accordion or harmonica

A musical machine with keys you press to make notes, like a piano or organ

A way for electronic instruments and computers to send musical data to each other

instrument flying
  • Specialized
6.7

To fly a plane using only instruments without seeing the ground or horizon

A tool used by the state to put a person to death

A device used to punish people for crimes

A musical instrument you play by hitting, shaking, or scraping, like a drum

9.8

A formal contract with a wax or raised mark that shows it is real

surveyor's instrument
  • Specialized
5.8

A device that measures and maps land, buildings, or boundaries

7.4

A rocket that flies to check equipment and systems

A device that measures the time difference between two events very precisely

9.9

A telescope set east–west to record the exact time a star crosses the north–south line in the sky

A musical instrument like a clarinet or saxophone that makes sound when air passes one reed

How Controlled

puppet
  • Offensive
152 5.6
instrument
77 5.5
tool
  • Offensive
587 4.0
ally
996 2.8

Surface Forms

instrument singular
instruments plural

Etymology

Instrument comes from the Latin instrumentum, from instruere meaning 'to equip' or 'prepare'. So calling a person an instrument means they are used like a 'tool' to carry out someone else's plans.