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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

Examples 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 Witness, by Whittaker Chambers This 1952 memoir is still thrust in the hands of budding young conservatives, as a means of inculcating them into the movement. Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2024 Sensing such threats, organizations are increasingly creating dedicated structures and processes to inculcate AI ethics proactively. Swanand Deodhar, favour Borokini, ben Waber, Harvard Business Review, 5 Aug. 2024 Advocates of Maori in New Zealand and of Hawaiian have emphasized the importance of inculcating these languages in early childhood development and education as part of their successful revival. Ross Perlin, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024 In other words, there isn’t any sort of cultural insulation that would protect Black men from negative messages in the manosphere, and the hosts subtly use language and imagery common to Black culture to inculcate Black listeners to their views. Steven Dashiell, The Conversation, 15 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for inculcate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inculcate
Verb
  • But on race days like this one, the air is suffused with something special.
    Longreads, Longreads, 18 Dec. 2024
  • The little hotel in the lakeside village of the same name on the outskirts of Amsterdam—just 30 minutes by bicycle from the city center—is suffused with angled sunlight that adds to its historic character and slow-living charm.
    Ann Abel, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • But the hardest game, the one that planted the seeds for this run to the title game, was Week 3 against Purdue — a 66-7 win.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2025
  • By implementing erosion control practices like contour gardening, terracing and planting vegetative buffer zones along water routes, gardeners can prevent soil loss and protect water quality.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Often imbuing a sense of warmth, texture, and rich details, Spanish colonial types of homes are still common in Southern California and beyond, but often with a modern twist.
    Lauren Gallow, Architectural Digest, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Constructed with indigenous wood and bamboo and imbued with a vibrant flower garden, this rustic hotel provides guests with a glimpse into the traditional architecture and culture of Araucanía, with ten colorful rooms to choose from across the property.
    Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • That relationship breeds trust, which sparks inspiration and influences behavior.
    Rodney Mason, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Most are descendants of animals that escaped from Spanish explorers, the United States Calvary, Indigenous People, or ranchers and survived to breed.
    Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • But Vera, the character, is far more than that, and not just because Blethyn infuses her with such a captivating mix of slovenliness and precision, prickliness and empathy.
    Mary McNamara, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Her dreams of a more diverse world infuse the entire musical with a sense of hope that bubbles under all the glorious dancing and some very big laughs.
    Chad Jones, The Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • His father, Rich, along with his mother, Avis, are the people who instilled McDermott’s work ethic and mentality in him.
    Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Spending more than few hours staring at the alternating gray and ivory walls and floors is enough to explain why people hate hospitals — or instill a fresh hatred for this hospital in particular.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • At work, compliance is embedded in professional hierarchies.
    Dr. Sunita Sah, TIME, 4 Jan. 2025
  • Nicole Cuffy Penguin Random House, March When Faruq Zaidi, a grieving Muslim journalist, seizes the chance to embed himself in a California cult, his determination to get a story pushes him into the world of its mystical leader.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • As many as 10 hogs have been tearing up yards and rooting through trash left for garbage collectors, according to WFAA.
    Landon Mion, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2025
  • The southern tradition is rooted partly in a century-old revolt against the privileges granted to Brahmans, the priestly caste that sits at the top of Hinduism’s ancient social hierarchy.
    Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inculcate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inculcate. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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