INSTILLED Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

instilled 1 of 2

adjective

as in inculcated

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

instilled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of instill

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

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 instilled

Adjective

Thirty years ago, McDonald instilled terror into his enemies. — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026 Our mum’s a voracious reader and really instilled reading. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 22 May 2026 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

Verb

The family’s statement Thursday called Copenhaver above all else a devoted husband, father and grandfather who instilled the values of hard work, integrity and the service to others in his children. — Gene Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 Henry said her dedication to helping others comes from her parents, both immigrants who instilled in her a love of education. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026 China's growth has been fueled by government funding for companies as well as a culture of innovation and speed the country has instilled in its workers, experts said. — Michael Wayland, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026 Several young Guatemalans in the reform movement suggested to me that the political caution of their parents’ generation was a product of the fear instilled in them during the years of military rule and internal armed conflict. — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026 Sarom’s Café was created to celebrate classic Vietnamese dishes and honor owner Mariana LyThach’s late father, who instilled in the family a spirit of community and connection. — Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2026 They are managed by Francesco Farioli, an up-and-coming young Italian coach who has instilled an attractive style of play and delivered their first Portuguese league title since 2022. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026 The work continues and the Frates family has maintained the passion that Pete instilled in them in fighting the disease that is still afflicting far too many people. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 6 Sep. 2026 Becoming a Golden Gloves champion instilled the values that Daniels needed to succeed in life decades prior to emerging as a cable television pioneer and a major stakeholder in professional sports. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 2 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instilled

Adjective

Native culture is an imbedded fact of Minnesota’s history and now the Indian – a brave, a scout, God forbid somebody’s friend — is gone from the flag.

— Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
The device receives a video feed captured by external smart glasses with an embedded camera.

— Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Definition of embedded

Verb

As a child of parents who bred him to be the next Green Lantern, John knows full well the conflict between conscience and instinct, a ceaseless war that threatens to explode to the surface.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
However, Andersen believed the mantra bred a culture of denial.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of bred

Adjective

In the end, George Bailey’s inherent goodness isn’t enough to save the world.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Turnover rates are often symptoms of larger structural challenges, some of which are inherent to trade work, the State of Skilled Trades report found.

— Itzel Franco, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of inherent

Verb

Ida’s stillness is shared by the whole film, which seems more confidently rooted than anything in Pawlikowski’s previous endeavors.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Once plants have rooted and produced three to four new leaves, remove cuttings from their container and transplant each into its own pot.

— Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of rooted

Verb

Within these confines the main characters register as aliens; Wendy and Jack aren’t just flustered but people who seem to have never been inculcated with a rudimentary sense of social propriety.

— Vadim Rizov, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
We were inculcated with the importance of charity, love toward all, good works and humility, and urged to carry those virtues into adulthood.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of inculcated

Browse Nearby Words

instill

instilled

instilling

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Instilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instilled. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of instilled

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

regimen

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes