instill

as in to plant
to set permanently in the consciousness or mind-set a charismatic leader who instilled in his followers a passionate commitment to the cause

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb instill differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of instill are implant, inculcate, infix, and inseminate. While all these words mean "to introduce into the mind," instill stresses gradual, gentle imparting of knowledge over a long period of time.

instill traditional values in your children

When would implant be a good substitute for instill?

While in some cases nearly identical to instill, implant implies teaching that makes for permanence of what is taught.

implanted a love of reading in her students

Where would inculcate be a reasonable alternative to instill?

While the synonyms inculcate and instill are close in meaning, inculcate implies persistent or repeated efforts to impress on the mind.

tried to inculcate in him high moral standards

When could infix be used to replace instill?

Although the words infix and instill have much in common, infix stresses firmly inculcating a habit of thought.

infixed a chronic cynicism

In what contexts can inseminate take the place of instill?

The meanings of inseminate and instill 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

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 instill Always showing up is the biggest lesson that my dad instilled in me. Heran Mamo, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2025 Much of her enthusiasm for flight was instilled by her late father, Harry Spies, a former Marine fighter pilot who took her to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and other fields for aerial shows. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025 Estancia enters its nonleague game at Artesia (2-3) on Friday bonded by the qualities that Bargas has instilled since his arrival from Newport Harbor in 2007. Dan Albano, Oc Register, 23 Sep. 2025 Reinforcing Values Through Recognition One of the best ways to instill and reinforce values is through recognition. Michele Herlein, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for instill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instill
Verb
  • Rat-Repelling Plants Certain flowers and plants repel pests, so consider adding some to your yard.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025
  • With their strong lines and solid structure, fences are just begging to be planted with vines and other climbing plants.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Roland Emmerich became Hollywood’s king of disaster in the 1990s — mainly by cross-breeding the genre with alien and monster pictures, like Independence Day and Godzilla.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
  • When these chickens breed, their offspring could produce eggs and sperm carrying dodo traits.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 18 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
  • Anne Morrow Lindbergh embeds wisdom and meditations on age, love, peace, solitude and fulfillment within the relaxing, picturesque setting of the sea.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Leaping boldly is as embedded in Hoda Kotb’s DNA as smiling, loving music and wearing stacks of friendship bracelets.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Every Democrat voted against rooting that out.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2025
  • However, fall planting is not recommended for certain types of tender perennials that are easily damaged by cold and require a long period of frost-free weather to root.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Instill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instill. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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