as in plants
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 instills
The endless descriptions of the sand’s pervasiveness, its grit, and its dryness, instills a real fear.
—
James Folta, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Neither option instills confidence.
—Melody Wilding, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026
Coach Sark instills all that stuff in us.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2026
That approach cuts the costs of medicines, creates local jobs, and instills reliance to better cope with global shocks.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
This instills a slower methodical way of shooting, as the user has to look down to check the image.
—New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2026
What’s more, the 102-year-old company has a distinct corporate culture — one that still pays homage to founder Walt and instills in its employees (known internally as cast members) the need to serve as guardians of Disney’s treasured characters and brands.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The detailed yet childlike animation helps bring to life a world only one woman can see and instills levity into this deeply moving story.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
There is personal growth taking place inside the four walls of this school that instills a sense of somebodyness in its students.
—Walter Fields, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
James Folta, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Neither option instills confidence.
—Melody Wilding, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026
Coach Sark instills all that stuff in us.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2026
That approach cuts the costs of medicines, creates local jobs, and instills reliance to better cope with global shocks.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
This instills a slower methodical way of shooting, as the user has to look down to check the image.
—New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2026
What’s more, the 102-year-old company has a distinct corporate culture — one that still pays homage to founder Walt and instills in its employees (known internally as cast members) the need to serve as guardians of Disney’s treasured characters and brands.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The detailed yet childlike animation helps bring to life a world only one woman can see and instills levity into this deeply moving story.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
There is personal growth taking place inside the four walls of this school that instills a sense of somebodyness in its students.
—Walter Fields, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instills
Verb
-
In the opening moments, Loznitsa, working with the Romanian cinematographer Oleg Mutu, plants the camera before the prison gates, which open with a loud creak, allowing a fresh batch of emaciated arrivals to shuffle into a work yard.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
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Tommy plants the warehouse bomb that blows up the fake British currency.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Curiosity breeds knowledge, and knowledge breeds resilience.—
Dr. Deepika Chopra,
Flow Space,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Success breeds a kind of intoxicating confidence.—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The classroom curriculum embeds literacy into almost all activities.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
-
As a result, market forces and AI boosterism — rather than strategic safeguards negotiated through collective bargaining — are the factors most likely to shape how AI disrupts and embeds itself in the region’s film sector.—
Mathew Scott,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Minibars feature a custom bourbon blend from local distillery Jacob Rieger & Company, a thoughtful touch that roots the experience in Missouri.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Louisiana dirty rice is a tasty meat-and-rice dish that roots its flavor in aromatic Cajun seasoning and the holy trinity vegetables.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instills. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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