instill

verb

in-ˈstil How to pronounce instill (audio)
Definition of instillnext
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

Relevance

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

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 instill This demand resilience instilled confidence in companies to raise prices without losing significant market share, further expanding margins. —Michael Khouw, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025 The lesson drawn and instilled by his family was that the Gentile zeal for Jewish death is implacable and that only Jewish strength in a Jewish land can oppose it. —David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025 As the founder and CEO of World Trade Resource (WTR), Branch has dedicated his career to helping organizations enhance performance by instilling cultural intelligence. —Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025 As the founder and CEO of World Trade Resource (WTR), Branch has dedicated his career to helping organizations enhance performance by instilling cultural intelligence. —Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for instill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instill
  1. plant
  2. breed
  3. inculcate
  4. embed
  5. root
Verb
  • They were planted around a century ago, when the circus tycoon John Ringling and his wife, Mable, took up residence in their sprawling new winter estate in Sarasota, Florida.
    — Thao Thai, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Nearly two decades before U.S. President Donald Trump eyed the strategic value of Greenland for the U.S., Russian explorers planted their country's flag on the seabed 14,000 feet below the North Pole.
    — Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of plant
Verb
  • As of now, there's no plan for the wolves to breed.
    — Mike Snider, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Lamm says that Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi will not be allowed to breed; moreover, the company anticipates genetically engineering just three to five more of the animals.
    — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of breed
Verb
  • Roth said employees at the charity would have to be expressing and inculcating religious doctrine, such as requiring participation in a prayer before a meal is served at a soup kitchen.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
  • This approach, driven by the following strategies, can help inculcate a culture of innovation and transform teams into innovation champions.
    — Sivakumar Ramakrishnan, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of inculcate
Verb
  • These leaders should consider how to embed inclusiveness into their organizational culture and overall HR practices.
    — Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Iranian artists and intellectuals tend to rely on subtlety, embedding meaning within layers of metaphor and covert language: a necessity in a place where direct expression often comes at great risk.
    — Rebecca Ruth Gould, JSTOR Daily, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of embed
Verb
  • According to Castro, what makes the Trump administration’s revocations unique is that they are sometimes rooted on the exercise of free speech – a basis that could eventually be challenged in court.
    — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Brigham Young University alumni and donors haven’t had a chance to root on their school in a Sweet 16 game since 2011 when sharpshooter Jimmer Fredette carried the team into the national spotlight.
    — Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of root

Browse Nearby Words

instigators
instill
instilled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Instill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instill. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on instill

Nglish: Translation of instill for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All