engrain, engrained
1 of 5
en·grain
less common spellings of ingrain, ingrained
: to work indelibly into the natural texture or mental or moral constitution
in·grain
(ˌ)in-ˈgrān 
variants
or less commonly engrain
ingrained also engrained; ingraining also engraining; ingrains also engrains
: to work indelibly into the natural texture or mental or moral constitution
in·grain
ˈin-ˌgrān
1
a
: made of fiber that is dyed before being spun into yarn
b
: made of yarn that is dyed before being woven or knitted
2
: thoroughly worked in : innate
in·grained
ˈin-ˌgrānd
(ˌ)in-ˈgrānd
(ˌ)in-ˈgrānd
variants
or less commonly engrained
1
: forming a part of the essence or inmost being : deep-seated
ingrained prejudice
2
: worked into the grain or fiber
Synonyms of engrain
Examples of engrain in a Sentence
Verb
the journalism professor has long ingrained his students with a deep respect for their chosen profession
the third-world privation he had witnessed forever ingrained itself upon the young doctor's memory
Adjective (1)
an ingrain skepticism that saves him from falling for every hoax that comes along
Adjective
These attitudes are very deeply ingrained in the culture.
her deeply ingrained distrust of all authority
Recent Examples on the Web
Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
The spirit of Mongolia is deeply ingrained in nearly every part of the hotel at large, too.
—Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026
Gary Trust, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
Its aims were threefold: to teach kids social and emotional skills from kindergarten through fifth grade; give them mindfulness tools and breathing techniques to manage stress and setbacks; and ingrain good habits around diet and exercise as a passport to healthy lives.
—Jack Korngold, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2025
Lucía Tejo, Glamour, 25 May 2026
Has this behavior become so ingrained in our culture that it is accepted normalcy?
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for engrain
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Verb
Ji-Na is open and confident while Fatima remains closed off, her shame about her sexuality deeply culturally ingrained.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
The spirit of Mongolia is deeply ingrained in nearly every part of the hotel at large, too.
—Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026
Noun
Despite the movie’s immediate and enduring success, Adams notes that radio still serves a key role in helping ingrain hits in the pop consciousness.
—Gary Trust, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
Its aims were threefold: to teach kids social and emotional skills from kindergarten through fifth grade; give them mindfulness tools and breathing techniques to manage stress and setbacks; and ingrain good habits around diet and exercise as a passport to healthy lives.
—Jack Korngold, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
There are few garments more ingrained in the preppy aesthetic than short-sleeve polo shirts.
—Lucía Tejo, Glamour, 25 May 2026
Has this behavior become so ingrained in our culture that it is accepted normalcy?
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for engrain
Cite this Entry
“Engrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engrain. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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