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

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 The school districts allege the companies designed their products in a way that encourages compulsive use, instills anxiety when users aren’t on the platform often enough and provides inadequate parental controls. Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2025 Critics argue that these raids instill fear in vulnerable communities and violate protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025 During her toast at the dinner table, with a row of candles extending the entire length, Romanek praised McWilliams for taking a risk in moving the family to L.A., and instilling in her a strong work ethic. Booth Moore, WWD, 21 Feb. 2025 Her purpose as a nonprofit leader has been deeply informed by her untraditional upbringing in a family with 108 children (connected via biology, fostering, and adoption), and by her Catholic faith, instilled in her by her devout parents. Solcyré Burga, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for instill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instill
Verb
  • However, researching appropriate varieties, and planting for our volatile temperatures, will help your success rates.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Wait until late April or May to start planting new grass from seed or sod.
    Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The animals breed and grow quickly, their organs are about the right size, and there aren’t many pathogens that infect both pigs and people.
    Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The market turbulence underscores a fundamental truth: uncertainty breeds volatility.
    Chris Westfall, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Brad has inculcated an ethos of approaching cinema with a longer life, which Dede and I already had seeds of in our respective practices.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • For the show, the duo built an office space embedded with silicone paintings full of chivalric symbols: the mirror, the castle, the knight, the enchanted woods.
    Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Fusion is embedded in The Kitchen’s DNA, most notably through its Passport To series, where guests embark on a global culinary journey.
    Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Popovich will try to return to the sidelines next season and everyone will be heavily rooting to his return.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
  • That conviction was rooted largely in the testimony of Justin Sneed, an adolescent maintenance man, who beat Van Treese to death with a baseball bat.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Instill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instill. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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