Synonym Chooser

How does the verb suffuse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of suffuse are imbue, infuse, ingrain, inoculate, and leaven. While all these words mean "to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout," suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality.

a room suffused with light

When might imbue be a better fit than suffuse?

The meanings of imbue and suffuse largely overlap; however, imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being.

imbue students with intellectual curiosity

When is it sensible to use infuse instead of suffuse?

The words infuse and suffuse can be used in similar contexts, but infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance.

new members infused enthusiasm into the club

Where would ingrain be a reasonable alternative to suffuse?

The words ingrain and suffuse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ingrain, used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait.

clung to ingrained habits

When can inoculate be used instead of suffuse?

In some situations, the words inoculate and suffuse are roughly equivalent. However, inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety.

an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

When is leaven a more appropriate choice than suffuse?

While in some cases nearly identical to suffuse, leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality.

a serious play leavened with comic moments

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 suffuse The trailer reveals the movie to be luminously shot and suffused with some intense action sequences — including one of Fahy hanging out of a shattered picture window. Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2025 His warm personal style suffuses every part of his new Los Angeles house, a place where cozy textures, the glow of candlelight, and the smell of pumpkin pie make guests feel right at home. Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2025 Someone is behind the camera, a person whose presence quietly suffuses the poem. A.o. Scott, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 Whatever the noble title, Cronenberg wore the moniker with the same winking irony that suffuses so much of his work – using genre as a kind of Trojan horse to get his unique vision to travel. Ben Croll, Variety, 1 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for suffuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffuse
Verb
  • The accessories elevated these ready-to-wear pieces, refining the silhouettes and color palettes while infusing a subtle sensuality.
    Tiana Randall, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Imagine a rich, dark chocolate infused with a cannabis strain high in myrcene, known for its relaxing properties.
    Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Some oils do indeed make your hair look and feel greasy by just coating the hair shaft, but others like tsubaki seed oil, actually penetrate the cuticle and melt into the hair.
    Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025
  • No sunlight ever penetrated its depths, and the air is a noxious brew of toxic gases.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In Scotland, for example, Islay peat is thought to imbue whisky with a different flavor than peat sourced from the Highlands.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Mar. 2025
  • The timeless pattern is the easiest way to imbue your look with the sport’s preppy aesthetic.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The movie opens like an old folktale, and that tone pervades the rest of the narrative.
    Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Perhaps the thriftiness of southern Pennsylvania, the Amish influence, would pervade.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Concept Validation: Instead of investing resources in unproven ideas, AI rapidly evaluates concepts against historical data and market patterns.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Coach Pat Skerry said the College of Charleston used $1.1 million in NIL revenue to build its roster and UNC Wilmington invested $500,000 into its team.
    Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Hunt believes that Laughton’s character and drive to win permeated the room and rubbed off on the Generals’ younger players.
    Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Once again there was a sense of the ‘70s (an era marked by Karl Lagerfeld at Chloé) permeating the collection with flouncy blouses styled with maxi skirts (a look that has skyrocketed to the top of my fall wishlist), crop tops, and mostly decorative statement belts.
    Irina Grechko, refinery29.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But manager Alex Cora didn’t rule out another possibility to fill the outfield hole presented by Abreu’s likely absence: Kristian Campbell.
    Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • This offseason, the Phillies made a huge addition to fill one of the biggest holes on their roster.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 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

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Cite this Entry

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

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