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as in to plant
to set permanently in the consciousness or mind-set a malcontent who inculcated in his offspring an abiding distrust of all civil authority

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb inculcate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of inculcate are implant, infix, inseminate, and instill. While all these words mean "to introduce into the mind," inculcate implies persistent or repeated efforts to impress on the mind.

tried to inculcate in him high moral standards

Where would implant be a reasonable alternative to inculcate?

While the synonyms implant and inculcate are close in meaning, implant implies teaching that makes for permanence of what is taught.

implanted a love of reading in her students

In what contexts can infix take the place of inculcate?

In some situations, the words infix and inculcate are roughly equivalent. However, infix stresses firmly inculcating a habit of thought.

infixed a chronic cynicism

When is it sensible to use inseminate instead of inculcate?

The meanings of inseminate and inculcate largely overlap; however, 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

When might instill be a better fit than inculcate?

The words instill and inculcate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, instill stresses gradual, gentle imparting of knowledge over a long period of time.

instill traditional values in your children

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 inculcate This preoccupation misses the elephant in the room: the disintegration or collapse of the Black family, the prime engine for inculcating behavioral norms indispensable to success. Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2025 Lammy’s education inculcated in him the rituals and expectations of the British establishment. Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025 This is generally seen as a positive, a sign that there’s a noble human tendency to be guided by our own internal moral compass, to remain faithful to the beliefs inculcated or passed on to us by our parents, caregivers, or cultural upbringing. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 In his autobiography, Franklin recounts his plan to inculcate virtue and expel vice. Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 1 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for inculcate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inculcate
Verb
  • Here and Now Agency/paul vu Music schools can be brutal places, suffused with envy and moistened by tears.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The cocktail party, suffused with the energy of Paris and the promise of couture to come, marked an auspicious beginning for both women—and a thrilling new chapter for Vogue and GQ in France.
    Vogue, Vogue, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This funding would have supported urban areas in planting shade-bearing trees in about 100 cities to help mitigate the effects of climate change.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Authorities said a cartel planted an IED that killed a Texas rancher and another individual and injured a third person.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Historically, ownership resided with high-net-worth individuals imbued with a personal passion for the game.
    Priya Oberoi, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The home is imbued with a snug sensibility, beginning with the wood-burning fireplace and extending all the way to the large window looking out at Villa Borghese.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The country started breeding the dogs over 300 years ago to hunt badgers, according to the American Kennel Club.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Some are used as breeding stock; others are shipped directly to labs.
    ByRefael Kubersky, science.org, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Head to the ice cream bar for old-fashioned floats and milkshakes, or enjoy a Nitro coffee beverage infused with vanilla ice cream.
    Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Let the herbs steep, stirring clockwise to infuse the water with intention.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Coach Mikey Varas has instilled resilience in the Major League Soccer expansion club, a trait that has served it well during a 2-0-2 start to the season.
    Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Malka credits the show’s visual style to a particular professional and artistic pride instilled in both her and Lindgren during their film school education.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • For chemistry - what harmful chemicals enter the world during manufacturing or are embedded within a material and are then released during use or at end of life?
    Christopher Marquis, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Next, Adams encouraged hospitals to empower health care providers to have better conversations with patients and to embed public health information in every encounter.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Taurus, connected to stability, beauty and abundance, invites us to root ourselves in the present and reap the rewards of hard work.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Love is just one of a handful of celebrities who have abandoned the U.S. and fled to the U.K. or rooted further in foreign countries as the second Trump administration goes into full swing.
    Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inculcate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inculcate. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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