as in inculcated
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Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instilled
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
Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
Yet Auburn still plays with the ferocity and pace Bruce Pearl instilled in his teams during his 31 seasons as a head coach.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
Rich then built a highly successful career in entertainment and went on to found Frank Family Vineyards, thanks in large part to the dedication, work ethic, and values Hy instilled in him from an early age.
—Taryn White, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
As an entrepreneur himself, his lessons in love and labour instilled in Brown the commitment to service and community that guided her social media endeavors and now her brand.
—Brianna J. Heath, Essence, 20 Jan. 2026
The principles of being a gentleman, Weir told me, had been instilled by his father, Frederick, an engineer.
—Alec Wilkinson, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026
The Walking Dead star, who has been boxing for years, also instilled a love of that sport in Henry.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Those lessons instilled in him a value system focused on care, family and self-sufficiency.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Witherspoon embodies so many elements of the culture that coach Mike Macdonald has instilled in Seattle.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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
Verb
Never one to shrink from a challenge Not shrinking from a challenge was a virtue instilled in Keane by some of her earliest mentors.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
Yet Auburn still plays with the ferocity and pace Bruce Pearl instilled in his teams during his 31 seasons as a head coach.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
Rich then built a highly successful career in entertainment and went on to found Frank Family Vineyards, thanks in large part to the dedication, work ethic, and values Hy instilled in him from an early age.
—Taryn White, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
As an entrepreneur himself, his lessons in love and labour instilled in Brown the commitment to service and community that guided her social media endeavors and now her brand.
—Brianna J. Heath, Essence, 20 Jan. 2026
The principles of being a gentleman, Weir told me, had been instilled by his father, Frederick, an engineer.
—Alec Wilkinson, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026
The Walking Dead star, who has been boxing for years, also instilled a love of that sport in Henry.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Those lessons instilled in him a value system focused on care, family and self-sufficiency.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Witherspoon embodies so many elements of the culture that coach Mike Macdonald has instilled in Seattle.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instilled
Verb
-
While much of the Yucatan peninsula is covered by rain forest, the landscape designers improved on nature here creating a jungle that is less scrubby than the real thing and instead planted with dramatic Mexican fan palms and other tropical trees that create a solid green wall.—
John Newton,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
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In addition, several caveats regarding legality, tree size, location, and species can affect where and whether the tree can be planted.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Raw celtuce, a lettuce cultivar bred for its sweet stem rather than for its leaves, is cut into neat rectangles of a luminous parakeet green, interleaved with strips of jiggly kombu jelly, and plated atop a vermillion pool of Yongchun red vinegar.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
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When vegan eating becomes more mainstream, fewer animals will be bred for food, lessening the threat of a life-threatening outbreak and nationwide pandemic.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The letter contained several real-world examples, complete with embedded pictures, explaining how simple text prompts can result in glossy renderings of Disney characters, including Darth Vader and Iron Man.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
14 Jan. 2026
-
There is wide speculation that people will come to embrace new ways to interact with AI, including through new types of wearable or embedded devices.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The experience isn’t rooted solely in the past.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Kelly firmly rooted himself in the community.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The ingrained reflex to center the crosshairs on the target and let fly takes over – and can lead to a gutshot deer or one that takes a bullet through the brisket that won’t kill it quickly.—
John B. Snow,
Outdoor Life,
15 Jan. 2026
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Leaving the door closed for around another five minutes allows the steam to circulate and loosen ingrained grime on the interior surfaces of your microwave.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 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
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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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Hungerstone is a delicious tribute to the inherent horrors of womanhood and the desperate and exquisite vulgarity of desire.—
Gabrielle Bellot,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
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But Swims buckled into the ballad, standing tall and belting through the song’s inherent ache.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The lawsuit claims the Fertility Center of Orlando somehow implanted the wrong embryo in Score’s uterus five years after the couple had their embryos frozen at the clinic.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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King had six stents implanted in May, completed a cardiac rehabilitation program in November and continues to have regular check-ups.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instilled. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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