Thesaurus

ingrain

Q: How does the verb 'ingrain' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ingrain are imbue , infuse , inoculate , leaven , and suffuse . While all these words mean "to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout," ingrain , used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait. // clung to ingrained habits

Q: When is it sensible to use 'imbue' instead of 'ingrain'?

The words imbue and ingrain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being. // imbue students with intellectual curiosity

Q: Where would 'infuse' be a reasonable alternative to 'ingrain'?

While the synonyms infuse and ingrain are close in meaning, infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance. // new members infused enthusiasm into the club

Q: In what contexts can 'inoculate' take the place of 'ingrain'?

In some situations, the words inoculate and ingrain are roughly equivalent. However, inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety. // an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

Q: When is 'leaven' a more appropriate choice than 'ingrain'?

Although the words leaven and ingrain have much in common, leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality. // a serious play leavened with comic moments

Q: When might 'suffuse' be a better fit than 'ingrain'?

The synonyms suffuse and ingrain are sometimes interchangeable, but suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality. // a room suffused with light

verb

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variants: also engrain

Synonyms & Antonyms of ingrain

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 to cause (as a person) to become filled or saturated with a certain quality or principle

the journalism professor has long ingrained his students with a deep respect for their chosen profession

Synonyms for ingrain

Words Related to ingrain

Near Antonyms for ingrain

clear,
empty

2 to produce a vivid impression of

the third-world privation he had witnessed forever ingrained itself upon the young doctor's memory

Synonyms for ingrain

Words Related to ingrain

Near Antonyms for ingrain

3 to set solidly in or as if in surrounding matter

tried to ingrain traditional values in their children

Synonyms for ingrain

bed,
embed
(also imbed),
enroot,
entrench
(also intrench),
fix,
impact,
implant,
lodge,
root

Words Related to ingrain

Near Antonyms for ingrain

eject,
expel

Antonyms for ingrain

ingrain

adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms of ingrain (Entry 2 of 2)

being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing

an ingrain skepticism that saves him from falling for every hoax that comes along

Synonyms for ingrain

Words Related to ingrain

internal

Phrases Synonymous with ingrain

in one's blood

Near Antonyms for ingrain

alien,
foreign

exterior,
external

Antonyms for ingrain

Frequently Asked Questions About ingrain

How does the verb ingrain differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ingrain are imbue, infuse, inoculate, leaven, and suffuse. While all these words mean "to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout," ingrain, used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait.

clung to ingrained habits

When is it sensible to use imbue instead of ingrain?

The words imbue and ingrain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being.

imbue students with intellectual curiosity

Where would infuse be a reasonable alternative to ingrain?

While the synonyms infuse and ingrain are close in meaning, infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance.

new members infused enthusiasm into the club

In what contexts can inoculate take the place of ingrain?

In some situations, the words inoculate and ingrain are roughly equivalent. However, inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety.

an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

When is leaven a more appropriate choice than ingrain?

Although the words leaven and ingrain have much in common, leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality.

a serious play leavened with comic moments

When might suffuse be a better fit than ingrain?

The synonyms suffuse and ingrain are sometimes interchangeable, but suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality.

a room suffused with light

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