as in inculcated
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as in planted
to set permanently in the consciousness or mind-set
a charismatic leader who instilled in his followers a passionate commitment to the cause
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instilled
William Jones, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
But watching Micah Ski definitely just instilled in this deep drive to not be a skier.
—Outside Online, 28 Jan. 2026
Pilar, a former Ford Agency model and actress, instilled confidence and poise in her kids from an early age.
—Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 23 Nov. 2025
Michelle reflected on how both of her parents instilled confidence in her from a young age which unquestionably informs her style sensibility to date.
—Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
His mother—central in shaping his early confidence—instilled in him a kind of resilience that would later fuel his global ambitions.
—Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Maye was efficient, didn’t turn the ball over, made plays with his arm and his legs, instilled confidence in his teammates and, most importantly, came away with a 33-27 win in Week 2.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
Farming and fishing are the islands’ economic drivers, and the urge to leave is so deeply instilled that the diaspora—spread across the United States, Canada, Brazil, and beyond—is estimated to be six times larger than the population of the islands, a mere 244,000 people (and steadily shrinking).
—Philip Sherburne, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2024
Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2026
The trailer depicts the duo navigating Aunt Lydia’s elite preparatory school for future wives, where obedience is instilled into the young female students.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
In addition to tradition and history, the DNA of the arts has been drawn from symbols that have instilled in our consciousness unshakeable ideas.
—Travis Whitlock, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Strait grew up on a ranch—an experience that instilled an early love of ranching.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 5 Mar. 2026
Level-headedness was instilled into Cunningham early.
—Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
But her parents instilled in her an interest in Iran.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Lucas has instilled a style of play that relies on defense, rebounding, points in the paint, and getting to the free throw line.
—Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2026
Allman was active in the Methodist church, and her parents instilled the importance of education into their girls.
—Nick Wooten, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Mika’s mother - a CPA, professor, and philanthropist - instilled in her an early understanding of legacy as something actively lived and carefully protected.
—William Jones, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
But watching Micah Ski definitely just instilled in this deep drive to not be a skier.
—Outside Online, 28 Jan. 2026
Pilar, a former Ford Agency model and actress, instilled confidence and poise in her kids from an early age.
—Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 23 Nov. 2025
Michelle reflected on how both of her parents instilled confidence in her from a young age which unquestionably informs her style sensibility to date.
—Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
His mother—central in shaping his early confidence—instilled in him a kind of resilience that would later fuel his global ambitions.
—Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Maye was efficient, didn’t turn the ball over, made plays with his arm and his legs, instilled confidence in his teammates and, most importantly, came away with a 33-27 win in Week 2.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
Farming and fishing are the islands’ economic drivers, and the urge to leave is so deeply instilled that the diaspora—spread across the United States, Canada, Brazil, and beyond—is estimated to be six times larger than the population of the islands, a mere 244,000 people (and steadily shrinking).
—Philip Sherburne, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2024
Verb
Growing up, her mother instilled in her a sense of pride and confidence in her smile.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2026
The trailer depicts the duo navigating Aunt Lydia’s elite preparatory school for future wives, where obedience is instilled into the young female students.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
In addition to tradition and history, the DNA of the arts has been drawn from symbols that have instilled in our consciousness unshakeable ideas.
—Travis Whitlock, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Strait grew up on a ranch—an experience that instilled an early love of ranching.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 5 Mar. 2026
Level-headedness was instilled into Cunningham early.
—Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
But her parents instilled in her an interest in Iran.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Lucas has instilled a style of play that relies on defense, rebounding, points in the paint, and getting to the free throw line.
—Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2026
Allman was active in the Methodist church, and her parents instilled the importance of education into their girls.
—Nick Wooten, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instilled
Verb
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For farmers who planted orchards years ago expecting a buyer at harvest, the closure adds new uncertainty to an already risky business.—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
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Even though her sales weren’t booming, the experience planted a powerful seed.—
Casey DelBasso,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In October 2025, the the La Crosse County District Attorney and Ridglan Farms agreed that the facility would surrender its Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection license and would not sell dogs purposefully bred for biomedical research, according to WKOW 27.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The puppies were three or four months old and had been raised by a serious man who bred dogs for police use.—
Via Scribner,
Literary Hub,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The exodus could weaken the surveillance and counterintelligence apparatus that helped sustain Venezuela’s authoritarian system for years, even as analysts warn that remnants of the network remain deeply embedded and capable of operating in the shadows.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The letter contained several examples, complete with embedded pictures, explaining how simple text prompts resulted in glossy renderings of Disney characters, including Darth Vader and Iron Man.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The data suggests the slump in academic performance is not rooted only in instructional disruption.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
According to former federal officials, cartels’ avoidance of deliberately targeting Americans is rooted less in ideology and more in risk management.—
Armando Regil Velasco,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The story has become so ingrained in the imagination of Brazilians that even today, John Bosco is considered the capital’s patron saint, with both a chapel and a church named after him.—
Sophia La Banca,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Mar. 2026
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In a world where the platforms these companies have created have become so ingrained in society and daily life, Galloway is also asking consumers to reflect upon giving up convenience for a higher purpose.—
Kristin Stoller,
Fortune,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Patriotism is a value that an IP-dependent tech company fighting Chinese rivals might well be happy to see inculcated in its employees.—
Walter Russell Mead,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2026
-
That’s true for Tamma in a different way – it’s inculcated in Tamma that no one will help her but that’s not true.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Despite the delicate balance, there is also an inherent – even genetic – understanding.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The limits of standalone offshore trusts Standalone offshore trusts carry inherent constraints.—
Ascend Agency,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The main device is implanted in the brain and does not penetrate brain tissue.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Invasive BCIs like Neuracle’s are surgically implanted in or on the brain.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instilled. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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