Definition of IMBUE

Choose the Right Synonym for imbue

infuse, suffuse, imbue, ingrain, inoculate, leaven mean to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout. infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance. new members infused enthusiasm into the club suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality. a room suffused with light imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being. imbue students with intellectual curiosity ingrain, used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait. clung to ingrained habits inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety. an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality. a serious play leavened with comic moments

Imbue Has Old French Roots

Like its synonym infuse, imbue implies the introduction of one thing into another so as to affect it throughout. A nation can be imbued with pride, for example, or a photograph might be imbued with a sense of melancholy. In the past imbue has also been used synonymously with imbrue, an obscure word meaning "to drench or stain," but etymologists do not think the two words are related. Imbue derives from the Latin verb imbuere, meaning "to dye, wet, or moisten." Imbrue has been traced back through Anglo-French and Old French to the Latin verb bibere, meaning "to drink."

Examples of imbue in a Sentence

A feeling of optimism imbues her works. her training at the school for the deaf imbued her with a sense of purpose that she had never known before

Recent Examples on the Web

Sherman's swagger imbued personality to the group, while his ranginess, receiver's hands and size (6-3, 195) made quarterbacks leery of targeting him. — Nate Davis, USA TODAY, "As Seahawks' Legion of Boom disbands, is it time to anoint it NFL's greatest secondary?," 3 July 2018 The hat and accessories designer has a way with sleek lines and imbuing her collections with just the right amount of edge. — Kerry Pieri, Harper's BAZAAR, "Two Of Our Favorite Brands Join Forces for Some Very Chic Hats," 12 Oct. 2018 For Moroccans, the tea takes on extra significance when it is shared with others; the cup of tea becomes imbued with all of the culturally critical aspects of hospitality. — Daniel Neman, sacbee, "Artistry, flavor blends are marks of Moroccan," 10 July 2018 The courageous Procyon scaling the 25-story building was sometimes scary, sometimes thrilling, sometimes hilarious but always imbued with a feeling of helplessness. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "Raccoon Congress," 13 June 2018 With the exception of the millionaire, the characters are thoroughly imbued with the spirit of Minnesota nice. — Sam Sacks, WSJ, "Fiction: The Enduring Appeal of Fading Pleasures," 27 Sep. 2018 The overall style recalls that of one of Friedman’s contemporaries, the late Guy Clark – Circus of Life is imbued with both gravity and grace. — Philly.com, "Album reviews: Florence and the Machine, Gorillaz and Kinky Friedman," 5 July 2018 Speaking from his Quirinal Palace, Mr. Mattarella, who is imbued by Italy’s Constitution with great powers during a government transition period, pointed out that Italy was one of the founding members of the European Union. — Jason Horowitz, New York Times, "Italy’s Populist Parties, on Precipice of Power, Fail to Form Government," 27 May 2018 The designers presenting their third womenswear collection for the fashion house have shown their mastery of the Sander minimalist aesthetic but have developed the confidence to imbue it with some nostalgia. — Colleen Barry, Fox News, "Milan Fashion: Arbesser embraces sustainability," 19 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'imbue.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.