instill

as in to plant
to set permanently in the consciousness or mind-set a charismatic leader who instilled in his followers a passionate commitment to the cause

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb instill differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of instill are implant, inculcate, infix, and inseminate. While all these words mean "to introduce into the mind," instill stresses gradual, gentle imparting of knowledge over a long period of time.

instill traditional values in your children

When would implant be a good substitute for instill?

While in some cases nearly identical to instill, implant implies teaching that makes for permanence of what is taught.

implanted a love of reading in her students

Where would inculcate be a reasonable alternative to instill?

While the synonyms inculcate and instill are close in meaning, inculcate implies persistent or repeated efforts to impress on the mind.

tried to inculcate in him high moral standards

When could infix be used to replace instill?

Although the words infix and instill have much in common, infix stresses firmly inculcating a habit of thought.

infixed a chronic cynicism

In what contexts can inseminate take the place of instill?

The meanings of inseminate and instill 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

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 instill My journey from farm boy to founder has instilled a belief that technology is our best hope for a better future. Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024 Obviously, going to Virginia instilled that mindset in me. C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 Dec. 2024 The singer was previously on a path to a dentistry career when his father — who instilled in him a love of music — tragically died. Jordana Comiter, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024 Farmers instill a deep respect for the business and its values from an early age, often involving their children in the daily work and decision-making processes. Benchmark and compare your business practices, performance, and strategies to those of leading companies in other sectors. True Tamplin, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for instill 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instill
Verb
  • The countless number of men who came via rail to work on Henry Ford’s $5-a-day assembly lines, which debuted the same month as MCS, were planting the seeds for the station’s ultimate neglect and demise.
    Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Toya, however, remains planted at the table, visibly exasperated by the drama.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • That is what breeds dishonesty and breaks authenticity.
    Drew Gerber, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
  • This growth saw housing costs rise, breeding popular discontent.
    Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • 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
Verb
  • Of more practical use is an NFC tag embedded in the foil seal of a bottle which not only enables its journey to be logged, but also registers when the wine has been opened.
    Chris Hall, WIRED, 18 Dec. 2024
  • There's a network of ports that are civilian and military logistical bases around the world and hundreds of organizations with Communist Party links that are as embedded in the heart of America as in tiny Pacific islands.
    Didi Kirsten Tatlow, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Plants tend to be short lived, but are easy to root from stem cuttings.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024
  • There is a way to meet in the middle like a Jamaican girl making music that's rooted and grounded in Jamaican roots, but still have influences from other songs. LA: Obviously, the weather in Jamaica is fabulous- SK: Perfection.
    CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near instill

Cite this Entry

“Instill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instill. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on instill

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