as in to suffuse
to cause (as a person) to become filled or saturated with a certain quality or principle inoculated them with the idea that the individual can always make a difference in this world

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb inoculate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of inoculate are imbue, infuse, ingrain, leaven, and suffuse. While all these words mean "to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout," inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety.

an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

In what contexts can imbue take the place of inoculate?

While in some cases nearly identical to inoculate, 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 inoculate?

The words infuse and inoculate can be used in similar contexts, but infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance.

new members infused enthusiasm into the club

When is it sensible to use ingrain instead of inoculate?

The words ingrain and inoculate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ingrain, used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait.

clung to ingrained habits

When might leaven be a better fit than inoculate?

The meanings of leaven and inoculate largely overlap; however, leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality.

a serious play leavened with comic moments

When could suffuse be used to replace inoculate?

Although the words suffuse and inoculate have much in common, suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality.

a room suffused with light

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 inoculate All people, from young children to older adults, are recommended to inoculate themselves against influenza, according to recommendations released Wednesday. Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2025 Similarly, white Americans are nearly four times as likely to skip or delay vaccinating their children compared to Asian Americans, with 19 percent and 5 percent, respectively, forgoing or putting off inoculating their kids, according to the poll. Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 15 Sep. 2025 Develop Character To Combat Cognitive Warfare Developing and strengthening character inoculates individuals. Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025 Certainly the effects may be more pronounced for teens, but there’s little evidence to suggest the brain is inoculated against the technology’s effects the moment users turn 18, and many vulnerable adults are at risk as well, such as those with sustained mental-health challenges. Albert Fox Cahn, The Atlantic, 11 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inoculate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoculate
Verb
  • The film certainly steers clear of Emmerichian overdrive, but it is suffused with hopelessness — on both an intimate and an epic scale.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
  • But the hot gas that suffused the space between the galaxies in each cluster would have crashed head-on.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Dove knows a thing or two about infusing yummy aromas into moisturizing products.
    Staff Author, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The bond is infused with biotin to nourish while gripping lash clusters securely, and the seal is enriched with vitamin E to eliminate tacky residue and keep everything looking seamless.
    Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Notably, said Kriner, individuals who are inculcated with a sense of nihilism do not commit crimes to achieve an ideological goal.
    Odette Yousef, NPR, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Another important way is to inculcate mindfulness by observing anger as a passing emotion rather than being all consumed by it.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • In recent years, the companies have bickered about the rise of streaming services, in which the media companies are investing billions of dollars and which lure away cable and satellite customers.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
  • That funding will be invested and pay out at 4% each year.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Rounding out the barbecue bowls is a set of 10 sauces that imbue various flavors and spice into the dish, including sugar water, lemon juice, oyster sauce, hot chili oil and Li’s house sauce.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Following their success came a sophomore line filled with international influences—African textiles, midcentury-style seating, and textural sconces imbued with Parisian flair.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 25 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inoculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoculate. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.

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