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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

Example 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 This is a unique public-private partnership effort which involves conservation organizations such as the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to inculcate environmental education across the country. Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024 Roth said employees at the charity would have to be expressing and inculcating religious doctrine, such as requiring participation in a prayer before a meal is served at a soup kitchen. Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025 Roth said employees at the charity would have to be expressing and inculcating religious doctrine, such as requiring participation in a prayer before a meal is served at a soup kitchen. Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025 This approach, driven by the following strategies, can help inculcate a culture of innovation and transform teams into innovation champions. Sivakumar Ramakrishnan, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inculcate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inculcate
Verb
  • That kind of fine-dining lineage suffused itself into the subtext of the 2025 awards.
    Caroline Hatchett, Robb Report, 19 June 2025
  • Above all, it was suffused with a belief that Italian cuisine was one of civilization’s great achievements.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • How well plants are equipped to manage heat depends not only on the type of plant (cool-season vs. heat-loving plants) but also on their growth stage (newly planted vs. established and mature).
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2025
  • Landscapers are spreading the good word: Never plant a Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana).
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • His seamless execution of steps and elegance of line form but one part of his distinctive quality; how his technique is imbued with expressive feeling is what makes his performances so potent.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 28 June 2025
  • All three actors imbue their roles with a quiet dignity.
    Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • To buy reefs a little extra time, scientists are breeding both algae and corals to withstand more heat; some of this work is taking place in Florida.
    Rafe Pomerance, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2025
  • Although the passenger pigeon was reported to have nested in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Mississippi, there are no records of breeding in Arkansas.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Its boar bristles and nylon pins are infused with keratin for an extra reparative boost with every stroke, gently smoothing without irritation.
    Annie Blackman, Allure, 28 June 2025
  • Geometric lines and flattened fields of colour are infused with influences of Modigliani and Russian avant‑garde art, combined with decorative patterns inspired by Godsk’s upbringing in the fairground community.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • By modeling and encouraging curiosity, parents can instill the value of lifelong education in their children.
    Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Those who support and cheer every time ICE instills fear or conducts a raid should not complain when their favorite eatery closes.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • The event is also streaming on the PBS app, PBS.org and on PBS’ YouTube channel, which is embedded below.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
  • The future of work is being shaped right now and the leading organizations are embedding upskilling and workforce transformation core to their growth strategy.
    Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • At the time, this was assumed in some quarters to be related to the decision to replace driver Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto as Pierre Gasly’s team-mate in a 2025 season where Alpine is rooted to the bottom of the constructors’ championship.
    Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 4 July 2025
  • Take cuttings from woody herbs, such as rosemary and lavender, and root them in a well-draining medium, like perlite or moist sand.
    Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inculcate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inculcate. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

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