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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 instilling
The problem is that the effort has succeeded only in decapitating the Maduro government and instilling fear among Venezuelans of future instability.
—
Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
The notion clearly motivates Cardenas, instilling in him a sense of fervor and urgency.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Since its founding, Milwaukee College Prep has grown from a single school to a multi-campus network known for its academic rigor, deep neighborhood relationships and commitment to instilling its values – trust, respect, empathy, courage and kindness – in students.
—April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 11 Dec. 2025
Outdoor structures encourage exploration while reflecting the legend of shipwrecked fishermen who founded Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, instilling a sense of adventure and resourcefulness.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025
The 37-year-old also sees similarities to the tactical approach Xabi Alonso is instilling after taking the Real Madrid job this summer.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
The son of a teacher and sports coach dad and a beautician mom who split up before his first birthday, Chesney credits his parents with instilling important values in him early on—grit, faith, community and love.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
So that was the idea — to help inspire them while instilling a love of reading.
—Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Mom worked multiple jobs while Papa, a Marine, and Tutu helped raise the little girl, instilling a deep faith in her that remains a bedrock to this day.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
The notion clearly motivates Cardenas, instilling in him a sense of fervor and urgency.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Since its founding, Milwaukee College Prep has grown from a single school to a multi-campus network known for its academic rigor, deep neighborhood relationships and commitment to instilling its values – trust, respect, empathy, courage and kindness – in students.
—April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 11 Dec. 2025
Outdoor structures encourage exploration while reflecting the legend of shipwrecked fishermen who founded Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, instilling a sense of adventure and resourcefulness.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025
The 37-year-old also sees similarities to the tactical approach Xabi Alonso is instilling after taking the Real Madrid job this summer.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
The son of a teacher and sports coach dad and a beautician mom who split up before his first birthday, Chesney credits his parents with instilling important values in him early on—grit, faith, community and love.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
So that was the idea — to help inspire them while instilling a love of reading.
—Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Mom worked multiple jobs while Papa, a Marine, and Tutu helped raise the little girl, instilling a deep faith in her that remains a bedrock to this day.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instilling
Verb
-
For best results, choose a rich potting mix and amend garden soil with compost before planting.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
7 Jan. 2026
-
When planting pea seeds, proper soil preparation is essential.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
January is breeding season for the invasive snakes in Florida, and the species is known to congregate in breeding balls on elevated levees and tree islands.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Stephen and Kristi stand by their stellar reputation in the community, with more than 20 years of experience legally breeding, raising, and rescuing German Shepherds.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There are also concerns about implanting even primitive embryo models created from stem cells into anything that resembles a human womb.—
Rob Stein,
NPR,
23 Dec. 2025
-
For the very first time, researchers captured incredible real-time, three-dimensional images and videos of a human embryo implanting into artificial uterine tissue.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The entertainment and culture brands that will thrive in the next decade will be those that go beyond the checkbox — embedding belonging into every stage of creation, every decision and every team.—
Kimberly S. Reed,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Before Dred Scott The role of the Supreme Court in legitimizing slavery and embedding the narrative of racial hierarchy in the legal system long predated Dred Scott and continued long afterward.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instilling. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share