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
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
His father was active in the local synagogue, and Rosenwald himself received a Jewish education that some scholars say instilled the idea of tzedakah as obligation rather than optional charity.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
These cannot be instilled via a machine.
—Catherine Thorbecke, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Her penchant for shirting is, by all accounts, a natural one, passed down by her father and grandfather—both bespoke tailors who instilled in her an exacting eye for quality and execution.
—Talia Abbas, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2026
My father always instilled a great deal of empathy in me.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
But the issue has already instilled panic in some families who now refuse to allow their children to be treated with fluoride in dentist offices.
—Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 13 Apr. 2026
This instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility that every investment should be rooted in results, and progress should be tangible.
—Samuel Mueller, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Building on Ikeno and Davies’ mention of Japan’s agrarian past in their cultural study, Hayama explained to me how this instilled a sense of quiet determination amidst struggles.
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 9 Apr. 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
That’s the mentality instilled in the top players the Hurricanes have churned out under Cristobal.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
His father was active in the local synagogue, and Rosenwald himself received a Jewish education that some scholars say instilled the idea of tzedakah as obligation rather than optional charity.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
These cannot be instilled via a machine.
—Catherine Thorbecke, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Her penchant for shirting is, by all accounts, a natural one, passed down by her father and grandfather—both bespoke tailors who instilled in her an exacting eye for quality and execution.
—Talia Abbas, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2026
My father always instilled a great deal of empathy in me.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
But the issue has already instilled panic in some families who now refuse to allow their children to be treated with fluoride in dentist offices.
—Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 13 Apr. 2026
This instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility that every investment should be rooted in results, and progress should be tangible.
—Samuel Mueller, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Building on Ikeno and Davies’ mention of Japan’s agrarian past in their cultural study, Hayama explained to me how this instilled a sense of quiet determination amidst struggles.
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instilled
Verb
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Once established, however, the picture changes as California sycamores are drought-tolerant, not long after being planted in the garden.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Imad Mughniyeh, Hezbollah’s military chief, is killed when a bomb planted in his car exploded in Damascus.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Some varieties, like ‘Tumbling Tom’ have a cascading habit while others, including ‘Tiny Tim’ have been bred specifically for growing in containers.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Green hydrangeas are seen on varieties that have been bred for green color, such as Invincible Sublime, a mophead type.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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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Community members picked up paintbrushes in Philadelphia's Gayborhood inside Voyeur Nightclub on Saturday to help bring a new mural honoring five LGBTQ+ trailblazers to life — an effort organizers say is rooted in both remembrance and representation.—
Eva Andersen,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
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Part of Cooper’s attraction to micro-dramas was rooted in feeling underserved by Western film and television.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This is in contrast to Kalshi, which runs on traditional financial rails and is generally less ingrained in the crypto world.—
Jack Kubinec,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The Netflix series tackles the political climate soon after the end of the regime, when there was still an ingrained distrust in public institutions.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
6 Apr. 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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Stedman offers a heartfelt homage to the virtues of rural community and the natural beauty unique to Western Australia, as well as a critique of the strictures and dangers inherent in small-minded communities.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
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In addition, inherent design flaws contributed to the disaster, notably the graphite end switches of the neutron-absorbing rods.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Doctors implanted a defibrillator to treat the condition following his stroke.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Patterson, 41, had a brain-computer interface implanted in the cortex levels of his brain, an area of higher functioning brain activity.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instilled. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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