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

• plant
• breed
• inculcate
• embed
• root

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

Mom worked multiple jobs while Papa, a Marine, and Tutu helped raise the little girl, instilling a deep faith in her that remains a bedrock to this day. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025

Mike McLusky may be top dog but power can only be maintained by continuing to instill fear in his enemies. —Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025

Immigration raids expanded, instilling fear as officers arrested workers and delivery drivers. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025

The notion that skin prep is all that’s needed is one Frankel’s instilled in her daughter, Bryn, despite having handfuls of free makeup products at her disposal. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for instill

• anthill
• backfill
• bluegill
• crossbill
• distil
• distill
• downhill
• dunghill
• foothill
• fulfil
• fulfill
• goodwill

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