as in planting
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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Recent Examples of instilling
The aggressive and indiscriminate tactics ICE deploys directly disrupt this dynamic, instilling fear and discouraging our immigrant neighbors from leaving their homes to engage in what were once their routine activities.
—
Aubrey Jackson Soller, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026
The offensive tackle was a force to be reckoned with, instilling fear in opposing defenses.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
Several cities across the country have seen an increase in immigration raids, which community members say are instilling fear in residents.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
The Prince and Princess of Wales are both passionate about sports and fitness, instilling that interest in their children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
Changing the Giants’ culture, restoring leadership to their locker room and instilling higher expectations into the building will be no easy task.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 20 Jan. 2026
Aiken points to former students who became educators, doctors and professionals outside the arts, crediting dance for instilling transferable skills.
—Kansas City Star, 14 Jan. 2026
Perhaps no one is better at instilling confidence in players of all experience levels at that position.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Authoritarian regimes—and the militias and security agencies that buttress them—rely on instilling fear in their subjects.
—Elizabeth Tsurkov, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
Aubrey Jackson Soller, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026
The offensive tackle was a force to be reckoned with, instilling fear in opposing defenses.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
Several cities across the country have seen an increase in immigration raids, which community members say are instilling fear in residents.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
The Prince and Princess of Wales are both passionate about sports and fitness, instilling that interest in their children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
Changing the Giants’ culture, restoring leadership to their locker room and instilling higher expectations into the building will be no easy task.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 20 Jan. 2026
Aiken points to former students who became educators, doctors and professionals outside the arts, crediting dance for instilling transferable skills.
—Kansas City Star, 14 Jan. 2026
Perhaps no one is better at instilling confidence in players of all experience levels at that position.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Authoritarian regimes—and the militias and security agencies that buttress them—rely on instilling fear in their subjects.
—Elizabeth Tsurkov, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instilling
Verb
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Start planting seeds after the last frost on a staggered schedule, and enjoy the cheery flowers all summer long.—
Michelle Darrisaw,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
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As Dallas-Fort Worth becomes more of a draw for domestic and international companies, Taiwan is planting its flag in the ground by actively recruiting for talent in the area.—
Victoria Baeza Garcia,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Founded in the 16th century, the Royal Stables are best known for breeding the royal breed of the Andalucían horse, the best of which are showcased in regular breathtaking shows.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
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At some colonies in Argentina, 97% of pups died, while on South Georgia Island, researchers reported a 47% decline in breeding females between 2022 and 2024.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Score and Mills, a Brevard County couple, sued IVF Life — which does business as Fertility Center of Orlando — last month for implanting Score with the the wrong embryo.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Feb. 2026
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The bill would prohibit the importation, sale, and offer of sale of pets that are transgenic, meaning they are created by implanting a gene from one species into another.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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TowneBank TowneBank is known for embedding community values into its corporate culture, emphasizing integrity, engagement and long-term development for employees.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Feb. 2026
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Her work focuses on strengthening responsible sourcing practices, improving working conditions, and embedding respect for human rights into everyday business decisions.—
Anna Triponel,
Sourcing Journal,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instilling. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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