instill

play

verb in·still \ in-ˈstil \

Definition of instill

transitive verb

1 :to cause to enter drop by drop

instill medication into the infected eye

2 :to impart gradually

instilling a love of learning in children

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instillation

play \ˌin(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən, -(ˌ)sti-\ noun

—

instiller

play \in-ˈsti-lər\ noun

—

instillment

play \in-ˈstil-mənt\ noun

See instill defined for English-language learners

See instill defined for kids

Examples of instill in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of instill from the Web

Also, Toscanini was a podium tyrant, instilling fear in his players.

— jay nordlinger, National Review, "Maestrissimo, Part I," 28 Aug. 2017
The result was a crash course in how to instill body positivity and non-binary acceptance in kids everywhere.

— yohana desta, HWD, "VMAs: Pink Shares the Inspiring Speech She Gave Her Adorable 6-Year-Old Daughter," 27 Aug. 2017
Through her experiences, Franklin was able to instill discipline and independence to her son.

— drew champlin, AL.com, "A-List No. 1: Justyn Ross is the latest elite prospect from Central-Phenix City," 24 Aug. 2017
For more than a hundred years the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts have stood equal, but separate, in efforts to instill good morals in young Americans.

— rachel lewis, Time, "Girl Scouts Accuse Boy Scouts of 'Covert Campaign' to Recruit Girls," 24 Aug. 2017
Plus, if the Heat are attempting to re-instill confidence in Winslow, then a starting spot might be the best approach.

— ira winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "ASK IRA: Could James Johnson be Heat answer at small forward?," 22 Aug. 2017
More than a superficial attempt to instill drama by referencing a real-world illness, Senua’s psychology is central to a game entirely focused on the overlap between personal psychology and the history and culture of its Celtic and Norse setting.

— reid mccarter, GQ, "Finally, a video game that understands that uses history for meaning and context rather than just window dressing.," 16 Aug. 2017
Walker appointed Stepp to the post in 2011 with a mandate to instill a more business-friendly approach at the agency.

— lee bergquist, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp says less oversight will speed Foxconn review," 9 Aug. 2017
My trips to Sunday School and Confirmation prep didn’t quite instill the fire-and-brimstone fear of God my previously Mormon and Baptist friends have described to me since.

— steven strom, Ars Technica, "How playing Edith Finch was like losing my religion again," 5 Aug. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of instill

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

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instill Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

drive, hammer, pound; embed (also imbed), entrench (also intrench), fix, lodge, root; imbue, infuse, ingrain (also engrain), inoculate, invest, steep, suffuse

Synonym Discussion of 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

INSTILL Defined for English Language Learners

instill

play

verb

Definition of instill for English Language Learners

: to gradually cause someone to have (an attitude, feeling, etc.)

INSTILL Defined for Kids

instill

play

verb in·still \ in-ˈstil \

Definition of instill for Students

instilled; instilling

:to put into the mind little by little

Patience with the ways of nature had been instilled in her by her father.
—Jean Craighead George, Julie of the Wolves

Medical Dictionary

instill

play

transitive verb in·still \ in-ˈstil \

medical Definition of instill

instilled; instilling

:to cause to enter especially drop by drop

instill medication into the infected eye

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See words that rhyme with instill Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for instill Spanish Central: Translation of instill Nglish: Translation of instill for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of instill for Arabic speakers

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Definition of instill

instillation

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instillment

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Examples of instill in a Sentence

Recent Examples of instill from the Web

Origin and Etymology of instill

instill Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of instill

INSTILL Defined for English Language Learners

instill

Definition of instill for English Language Learners

INSTILL Defined for Kids

instill

Definition of instill for Students

Medical Dictionary

instill

medical Definition of instill

Learn More about instill

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