Thesaurus results for INSTILL

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

instill

verb

in-ˈstil

Definition of 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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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 This is especially true of finance groups that have established financial operations (FinOps) groups to instill financial accountability in variable, pay-as-you-go cloud computing investments. — Jim Deloach, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 While discussing recovery at the May event, Panettiere similarly reflected on learning to let go of the perfectionism that had been instilled in her from childhood. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026 Seeing her parents, especially her mom, go to work every day instilled a strong work ethic in her. — Anna Halkidis, Parents, 17 Aug. 2026 Dart taking such a huge hit so early, however, does not instill confidence that the young QB and this offense are ready to take the next step. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for instill

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instill

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

Definition of plant

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

Definition of breed

Verb

We were inculcated with the importance of charity, love toward all, good works and humility, and urged to carry those virtues into adulthood.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
We were constantly informed that our purpose was to become genteel and inculcated in Christian virtue.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 May 2026

Definition of inculcate

Verb

Part of the issue is that pilots often run without integration into legal and IT, and so executives don’t embed the pilots into their infrastructure, but restart from zero each time.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
The tools will become faster, cheaper, and more deeply embedded in daily life.

— Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of embed

Verb

Prepare a small plant pot with potting mix, dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone powder, and plant the cutting in the pot.

— Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
Their ambition rooted from high school stardom is to land a scholarship at a four-year program, which is easier said than done, given the amount of players across the country scrambling for such chances.

— JOE DAVIDSON, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of root

Browse Nearby Words

instigators

instill

instilled

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“Instill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instill. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of instill

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