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 Thompson described the deep, quiet fear instilled in her by her mother. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025 Despite the growing leadership void, one of the main things that coach Mike McDaniel wanted to accomplish was to instill a new culture in 2025. C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025 Growing up in a baseball family, Ryan was instilled with the right way to play the game. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2025 Dobbs credited his predecessor in New England, Jacoby Brissett, for helping instill a mentality that once a starter is decided, the backup quarterback’s job is to help him however possibly leading up to kickoff. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for instill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instill
Verb
  • The fruit is planted and harvested by hand, which explains why delivered pineapples arrive without their crowns as they are used to plant new fruits — creating a sustainable growth process.
    Moná Thomas, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • The idea is firmly planted in the sprawling tax cuts package Republicans are hashing out in the House and aiming to pass in the coming days.
    Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • The disgraced zookeeper — who bred and kept tigers, lions and other animals at his G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma — was also charged with other crimes, including killing tigers to make way for more big cats at his park.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 19 May 2025
  • The study analyzed starlings from central Kenya that breed twice a year, during rainy seasons.
    Jay Kakade May 18, New Atlas, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • Everyone should inculcate the ability to identify root causes and recognize patterns, feedback loops and relationships that influence outcomes rather than focusing on isolated components.
    Balmukund Shukla, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • Nothing left to do but build and inculcate my fantastical atoms, unable to catch a break.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Various vendors demoed other full dashboard displays embedded in other automotive applications at the show.
    Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • Monday, May 19 at 2 a.m. ET (video embedded above).
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Life offers a series of uncomfortable truths, often rooted not in surface-level perception but in our deeper human wiring.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • But the specter of A.I. misuse, and the imperfect systems used to root it out, may also be affecting students who are following the rules.
    Callie Holtermann, New York Times, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Instill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instill. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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