as in inculcated
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as in planted
to set permanently in the consciousness or mind-set
a charismatic leader who instilled in his followers a passionate commitment to the cause
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instilled
Outside Online, 28 Jan. 2026
Pilar, a former Ford Agency model and actress, instilled confidence and poise in her kids from an early age.
—Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 23 Nov. 2025
Michelle reflected on how both of her parents instilled confidence in her from a young age which unquestionably informs her style sensibility to date.
—Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
His mother—central in shaping his early confidence—instilled in him a kind of resilience that would later fuel his global ambitions.
—Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Maye was efficient, didn’t turn the ball over, made plays with his arm and his legs, instilled confidence in his teammates and, most importantly, came away with a 33-27 win in Week 2.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
The passage of the resolution and the uptick in immigration enforcement nationwide has instilled a sense of fear in the East County city, Kendrick said.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
As trust in institutions faces challenges, Molinaroli sees education as a vital forge for principled leaders, where responsibility is instilled before authority.
—Jason Phillips, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
China’s growth has been fueled by government funding for companies as well as a culture of innovation and speed the country has instilled in its workers, experts said.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026
Having the heart to help people in need and doing community-minded work is something that has been instilled in Jack from his parents.
—Corey Davis, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 3 Feb. 2026
Never one to shrink from a challenge Not shrinking from a challenge was a virtue instilled in Keane by some of her earliest mentors.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
Yet Auburn still plays with the ferocity and pace Bruce Pearl instilled in his teams during his 31 seasons as a head coach.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
Rich then built a highly successful career in entertainment and went on to found Frank Family Vineyards, thanks in large part to the dedication, work ethic, and values Hy instilled in him from an early age.
—Taryn White, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
But watching Micah Ski definitely just instilled in this deep drive to not be a skier.
—Outside Online, 28 Jan. 2026
Pilar, a former Ford Agency model and actress, instilled confidence and poise in her kids from an early age.
—Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 23 Nov. 2025
Michelle reflected on how both of her parents instilled confidence in her from a young age which unquestionably informs her style sensibility to date.
—Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
His mother—central in shaping his early confidence—instilled in him a kind of resilience that would later fuel his global ambitions.
—Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Maye was efficient, didn’t turn the ball over, made plays with his arm and his legs, instilled confidence in his teammates and, most importantly, came away with a 33-27 win in Week 2.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
My cultural upbringing has instilled in me a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness between people, place, and community.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
The passage of the resolution and the uptick in immigration enforcement nationwide has instilled a sense of fear in the East County city, Kendrick said.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
As trust in institutions faces challenges, Molinaroli sees education as a vital forge for principled leaders, where responsibility is instilled before authority.
—Jason Phillips, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
China’s growth has been fueled by government funding for companies as well as a culture of innovation and speed the country has instilled in its workers, experts said.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026
Having the heart to help people in need and doing community-minded work is something that has been instilled in Jack from his parents.
—Corey Davis, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 3 Feb. 2026
Never one to shrink from a challenge Not shrinking from a challenge was a virtue instilled in Keane by some of her earliest mentors.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
Yet Auburn still plays with the ferocity and pace Bruce Pearl instilled in his teams during his 31 seasons as a head coach.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
Rich then built a highly successful career in entertainment and went on to found Frank Family Vineyards, thanks in large part to the dedication, work ethic, and values Hy instilled in him from an early age.
—Taryn White, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instilled
Verb
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While much of the Yucatan peninsula is covered by rain forest, the landscape designers improved on nature here creating a jungle that is less scrubby than the real thing and instead planted with dramatic Mexican fan palms and other tropical trees that create a solid green wall.—
John Newton,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
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In addition, several caveats regarding legality, tree size, location, and species can affect where and whether the tree can be planted.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Retrievers, initially bred for hunting, enjoy hiking and playing fetch, says Joey Morris, animal behaviorist and dog trainer at OverWatch K9 Academy.—
Taylor Grothe,
Parents,
9 Feb. 2026
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Jalen Sundell and Grey Zabel are Super Bowl champions because they were bred by one of the best FCS programs in the country.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The letter contained several real-world examples, complete with embedded pictures, explaining how simple text prompts can result in glossy renderings of Disney characters, including Darth Vader and Iron Man.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
14 Jan. 2026
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There is wide speculation that people will come to embrace new ways to interact with AI, including through new types of wearable or embedded devices.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Look for strong sturdy leaves that have a nice shape and that are rooted well in the soil.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
11 Feb. 2026
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Szoboszlai opened the scoring on 74 minutes with a swerving free kick that kissed the inside of the post and left Gianluigi Donnarumma rooted to the spot.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The ingrained reflex to center the crosshairs on the target and let fly takes over – and can lead to a gutshot deer or one that takes a bullet through the brisket that won’t kill it quickly.—
John B. Snow,
Outdoor Life,
15 Jan. 2026
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Leaving the door closed for around another five minutes allows the steam to circulate and loosen ingrained grime on the interior surfaces of your microwave.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Patriotism is a value that an IP-dependent tech company fighting Chinese rivals might well be happy to see inculcated in its employees.—
Walter Russell Mead,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2026
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That’s true for Tamma in a different way – it’s inculcated in Tamma that no one will help her but that’s not true.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The inherent disagreement isn’t about those facts.—
Steve Booren,
Denver Post,
15 Feb. 2026
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For all the inherent sadness of its subject matter, Mouse is never depressing, thanks to the delicacy of O’Sullivan and Thompson’s filmmaking.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bio-drones Under the project, codenamed PJN-1, neural chips are reportedly implanted into the birds’ brains, with flight paths controlled by remote operators.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
8 Feb. 2026
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Wells became the ninth patient in Central Texas to have the Evoque implanted.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instilled. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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