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 only way is to instill confidence, tell them the truth, give them the harsh reality, but also keep them focused and on the swivel. Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 8 Sep. 2025 But this Patriots opener offered just a little bit more than most because combating a brand new Raiders team tested both the coaching staff’s ability to problem-solve, and the identity Vrabel is working daily to instill. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Sep. 2025 Growing up in the Keys instilled a certain wildness in me that can only come from a childhood of being raised on island time. Teaghan Skulszki, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025 And kids can develop disordered eating despite a parent's best effort to instill healthy eating habits. Adrienne Farr, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for instill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instill
Verb
  • In cooler regions, plants are commonly planted in spring for an early season color and cut back in summer when plants decline due to heat.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Hundreds of security forces searched for additional attackers or explosives that could have been planted around the area.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Labradors are often more energetic and bred for hunting, retrieving, and service work, whereas goldens are prized for their patience, friendliness, and trainability.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • And from that position, she was empowered to breed social revolt.
    Time, Time, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Notably, said Kriner, individuals who are inculcated with a sense of nihilism do not commit crimes to achieve an ideological goal.
    Odette Yousef, NPR, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Another important way is to inculcate mindfulness by observing anger as a passing emotion rather than being all consumed by it.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • Splunk’s new approach embeds agentic AI directly into Splunk Observability Cloud and Splunk AppDynamics, which continuously analyzes telemetry, flags anomalies, diagnoses root causes and recommends fixes.
    Victor Dey, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • All this plays out against the Borg’s family home in Oslo, an old-world cottage that looks sprung from a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, but holding generations of memories and trauma, embedded in its walls.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Be a Good Sport Even if—especially if—you’re rooting against your hosts’ team, don’t be obnoxious in your fandom.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Legacy cultivators often use heritage brands to root themselves in cannabis history and culture.
    Sara Payan, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Instill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instill. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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