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as in to plant
to set permanently in the consciousness or mind-set a malcontent who inculcated in his offspring an abiding distrust of all civil authority

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb inculcate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of inculcate are implant, infix, inseminate, and instill. While all these words mean "to introduce into the mind," inculcate implies persistent or repeated efforts to impress on the mind.

tried to inculcate in him high moral standards

Where would implant be a reasonable alternative to inculcate?

While the synonyms implant and inculcate are close in meaning, implant implies teaching that makes for permanence of what is taught.

implanted a love of reading in her students

In what contexts can infix take the place of inculcate?

In some situations, the words infix and inculcate are roughly equivalent. However, infix stresses firmly inculcating a habit of thought.

infixed a chronic cynicism

When is it sensible to use inseminate instead of inculcate?

The meanings of inseminate and inculcate largely overlap; however, 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

When might instill be a better fit than inculcate?

The words instill and inculcate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, instill stresses gradual, gentle imparting of knowledge over a long period of time.

instill traditional values in your children

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inculcate Sensing such threats, organizations are increasingly creating dedicated structures and processes to inculcate AI ethics proactively. Swanand Deodhar, favour Borokini, ben Waber, Harvard Business Review, 5 Aug. 2024 Advocates of Maori in New Zealand and of Hawaiian have emphasized the importance of inculcating these languages in early childhood development and education as part of their successful revival. Ross Perlin, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024 In other words, there isn’t any sort of cultural insulation that would protect Black men from negative messages in the manosphere, and the hosts subtly use language and imagery common to Black culture to inculcate Black listeners to their views. Steven Dashiell, The Conversation, 15 May 2024 This includes inculcating hatred against the U.S. among China’s population, and celebrating major U.S. foreign policy mistakes and its democratic mishaps. Steve Tsang, TIME, 11 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for inculcate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inculcate
Verb
  • The staff brings you spaghetti tossed with sweet little vongole clams suffused with garlic.
    John Mariani, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
  • One night, the living room will be suffused with a soft lavender glow; the next a bold yolk-yellow or a lambent hot pink.
    Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • These woodlands were planned and planted this way over a century ago, made to resemble the Catskills or the Adirondack Mountains.
    Brian Mann, NPR, 30 Nov. 2024
  • For each tree that is harvested, growers plant at least one new tree, according to the Real Christmas Tree Board, which represents tree growers.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Visible through the sapphire caseback, the decorative touches imbue the timepiece with the spirit of true luxury.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2024
  • Beyond that, Christmas works wonders as a backdrop, imbuing Carol with a mixture of warmth, melancholy, nostalgia, and regret that only the holidays can conjure.
    Janey Tracey, EW.com, 29 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Aaron Hernandez and the Untold Murders of Bristol will focus on the circumstances in Bristol, Connecticut, that bred a community of dangerous men, including three athletes on the same high school football team — Hernandez, Alex Ryng and Nicholas Brutcher — who all went on to become murderers.
    Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024
  • The campaigns are seasonal because in many malarial regions, malaria-carrying mosquitos only thrive and transmit the disease in certain seasons, often during a summer rainy season where there’s more water for mosquitos to breed in.
    Dylan Matthews, Vox, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Paired with shredded coconut and infused with the punchy flavors of fish sauce, garlic, ginger, and plenty of lime, this plant protein has become a new essential for me.
    Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appétit, 1 Dec. 2024
  • This whimsical holiday spectacular features a Broadway-style production infused with contemporary circus acts.
    Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 1 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Once a voyager, a tragic event instilled in him a fear of the ocean, leading him to forbid his people from venturing beyond the safety of the island's reef.
    Jordana Comiter, People.com, 30 Nov. 2024
  • His approach reflects an immense amount of discipline – whether that stems from his days in the Scouts and the Merchant Navy or his mother instilling a love of sewing in him – he very clearly, and intentionally thinks about his purchases.
    Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 29 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Once embedded within this team of intrepid reporters, Tomás learns more about newsgathering and radio broadcasting methods and starts to appreciate the value of what Weiner and his comrades are fighting for.
    Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Several also showed signs of untreated medical conditions, and their coats were embedded with botfly eggs and hoof neglect.
    Chris Barilla, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Microphones rooted speakers in one place, and radio audiences were in their living rooms, not immersed in the rally atmosphere.
    Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 29 Nov. 2024
  • No one has the funding or capability to root it out.
    Hod Fleishman, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Inculcate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inculcate. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

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