Definition of inseminatenext
as in to breed
to set permanently in the consciousness or mind-set the notion that their monarch ruled by divine right had been inseminated in the people for countless generations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb inseminate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of inseminate are implant, inculcate, infix, and instill. While all these words mean "to introduce into the mind," 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

When could implant be used to replace inseminate?

While the synonyms implant and inseminate are close in meaning, implant implies teaching that makes for permanence of what is taught.

implanted a love of reading in her students

When might inculcate be a better fit than inseminate?

In some situations, the words inculcate and inseminate are roughly equivalent. However, inculcate implies persistent or repeated efforts to impress on the mind.

tried to inculcate in him high moral standards

When can infix be used instead of inseminate?

The meanings of infix and inseminate largely overlap; however, infix stresses firmly inculcating a habit of thought.

infixed a chronic cynicism

When is instill a more appropriate choice than inseminate?

The words instill and inseminate can be used in similar contexts, but instill stresses gradual, gentle imparting of knowledge over a long period of time.

instill traditional values in your children

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 inseminate In defiance of optics, the light from his face is refracted not in the camera lens but rather in the woman’s womb—and only after traveling through (and being inseminated by) the man’s genitalia. Noam M. Elcott, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2025 In 1992, Cecil Jacobson was convicted of 52 counts of fraud and perjury for inseminating his patients with his own sperm and was sent to prison. Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025 In the next, Avi and Jen are married with a young child and Shira is asking to use his sperm to artificially inseminate her partner Kendra (Nicole Byer). Esther Zuckerman, Time, 22 Aug. 2025 Throughout his career, Cline covertly inseminated dozens of patients with his sperm without their consent. Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inseminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inseminate
Verb
  • Ocean-going seabirds feed at sea, return to the cliffs to breed, their guano transporting marine nutrients onto land and fertilizing the ground below.
    Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Love emphasized that a week of partying and art viewing on the playa can breed ferocity.
    Henry Alford, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The island, just over 2 miles long, was created in the late 1960s from sand dredged during the deepening of the Elbe shipping channel that serves the port of Hamburg, then left to itself and gradually planted over.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Standing at two hours and 30 minutes, along with a 15-minute intermission, the narrative plants you in the middle of a world of ironies.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The infection caused an irregular heart rhythm, and doctors decided to temporarily implant a pacemaker.
    Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The eight-episode series, written by Peter Ocko, follows a giant tech conglomerate that persuades the city to place a powerful robot on its police force – a robot implanted with the consciousness of a beloved fallen officer, Alex Murphy (Stevens).
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Inseminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inseminate. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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