instill

verb

in·​still in-ˈstil 

instilled; instilling; instills

transitive verb

1

: to impart gradually

instilling a love of learning in children

2

: to cause to enter drop by drop

instill medication into the infected eye

instillation

ˌin(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən 

-(ˌ)sti-

noun

instiller

in-ˈsti-lər 

noun

instillment

in-ˈstil-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• breed
• enroot
• implant
• inculcate
• infix
• inseminate
• plant
• sow

Choose the Right Synonym for instill

implant, inculcate, instill, inseminate, infix mean to introduce into the mind.

implant implies teaching that makes for permanence of what is taught.

implanted a love of reading in her students

inculcate implies persistent or repeated efforts to impress on the mind.

tried to inculcate in him high moral standards

instill stresses gradual, gentle imparting of knowledge over a long period of time.

instill traditional values in your children

inseminate applies to a sowing of ideas in many minds so that they spread through a class or nation.

inseminated an unquestioning faith in technology

infix stresses firmly inculcating a habit of thought.

infixed a chronic cynicism

Examples of instill in a Sentence

a charismatic leader who instilled in his followers a passionate commitment to the cause

Recent Examples on the Web

This relationship can instill a sense of accountability and commitment, countering the entitlement mindset. —Nilesh Parmar, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

While Klopp’s teams thrived in the transitional phases that these riskier passes could bring, Slot is instilling a more calculated approach. —Mark Carey, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024

Hattie’s love for Elwood opens him up to the compassionate message of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., which instills in him a larger sense of political awareness. —Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024

His father, a member of the 1970s grupera band Mister Chivo from Miguel Alemán, instilled in him a deep passion for music; and discovering his uncle’s songwriting credits on an Elvis Crespo album further fueled Barrera’s musical ambitions. —Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin instillare, from in- + stillare to drip, from stilla drop

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

instill

verb

in·​still in-ˈstil 

: to gradually cause to feel or have

instill a love of music

instillation

ˌin(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

instiller noun

Medical Definition

instill

transitive verb

in·​still in-ˈstil 

instilled; instilling

: to cause to enter especially drop by drop

instill medication into the infected eye