instill

verb

in·​still in-ˈstil 

instilled; instilling; instills

transitive verb

1

: to impart gradually

instilling a love of learning in children

2

: to cause to enter drop by drop

instill medication into the infected eye

instillation

ˌin(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən 

-(ˌ)sti-

noun

instiller

in-ˈsti-lər 

noun

instillment

in-ˈstil-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• breed
• enroot
• implant
• inculcate
• infix
• inseminate
• plant
• sow

Choose the Right Synonym for instill

implant, inculcate, instill, inseminate, infix mean to introduce into the mind.

implant implies teaching that makes for permanence of what is taught.

implanted a love of reading in her students

inculcate implies persistent or repeated efforts to impress on the mind.

tried to inculcate in him high moral standards

instill stresses gradual, gentle imparting of knowledge over a long period of time.

instill traditional values in your children

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

infix stresses firmly inculcating a habit of thought.

infixed a chronic cynicism

Examples of instill in a Sentence

a charismatic leader who instilled in his followers a passionate commitment to the cause

Recent Examples on the Web

Monica adds she's been enjoying bonding with her daughter and working to instill confidence in her. —Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 23 Apr. 2024

China’s rapid growth over the preceding decades had instilled confidence that an expanding middle class would continue to flex its newfound wealth with lavish spending. —Claire Fu, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2024

Quick research on Google can help interested patients differentiate between suspicious practices and top-of-the-class medical centers that instill confidence. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024

But in addition to their entrepreneurial success, Hernandez and Holguin share a love story that has only grown over the years thanks to their perseverance — a value also instilled in their businesses that will soon reach a magnanimous milestone: a decade of success. —The Arizona Republic, 7 Apr. 2024

The retired general and former chief of the military general staff was able to instill public trust in Netanyahu's cabinet. —Mansee Khurana, NPR, 4 Apr. 2024

To instill confidence in top management, outline a clear implementation plan that includes key milestones, resource requirements and minimal disruptions to ongoing operations. —Andrew Kahl, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

In the early 2000s, as the uprising known as the second intifada instilled fear in Israelis through a series of suicide bombings, Kenneth Marcus, then an official in the U.S. Department of Education, watched with unease as pro-Palestinian protests shook college campuses. —Vimal Patel, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024

His earliest inspiration came from his grandmother, who instilled in him self-confidence and a visionary mindset. —Aaraf Adam, Essence, 22 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin instillare, from in- + stillare to drip, from stilla drop

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

instill

verb

in·​still in-ˈstil 

: to gradually cause to feel or have

instill a love of music

instillation

ˌin(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

instiller noun

Medical Definition

instill

transitive verb

in·​still in-ˈstil 

instilled; instilling

: to cause to enter especially drop by drop

instill medication into the infected eye