ingrained

adjective

in·​grained ˈin-ˌgrānd  (ˌ)in-ˈgrānd 

variants or less commonly engrained

(ˌ)in-ˈgrānd 

1

: forming a part of the essence or inmost being : deep-seated

ingrained prejudice

2

: worked into the grain or fiber

ingrainedly

ˈin-ˌgrā-nəd-lē 

ˈin-ˌgrānd-lē

(ˌ)in-ˈgrā-nəd-lē 

-ˈgrānd-

adverb

or less commonly engrainedly

(ˌ)in-ˈgrā-nəd-lē 

-ˈgrānd-

Synonyms

• built-in
• constitutional
• constitutive
• essential
• hardwired
• immanent
• inborn
• inbred
• indigenous
• ingrain
• inherent
• innate
• integral
• intrinsic
• native
• natural

Examples of ingrained in a Sentence

These attitudes are very deeply ingrained in the culture.

her deeply ingrained distrust of all authority

Recent Examples on the Web

These goals are often deeply ingrained—perhaps a lifelong dream of owning a vacation home, retiring early, or reaching a specific net worth. —Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

So ingrained is the fixation with speed that generations of U.S. military commanders have learned to shudder at the mention of attritional warfare, embracing decisive maneuver as the route to quick victories. —Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025

Breaking deeply ingrained habits is not easy and can often not be done alone. —Jody Michael, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

However, a broader trade war could change that if the pace of increases becomes more ingrained in the economy. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for ingrained

• appertained
• ascertained
• entertained
• overstrained
• preordained
• unconstrained
• unexplained
• unrestrained
• abstained
• arraigned
• attained
• bloodstained

Kids Definition

ingrained

adjective

in·​grained ˈin-ˌgrānd  (ˈ)in-ˈgrānd 

1

: worked into the grain or fiber

2

: forming a part of the inmost being : deep-seated

ingrained attitudes