ingrained

adjective

in·​grained ˈin-ˌgrānd  (ˌ)in-ˈgrānd 

variants or less commonly engrained

(ˌ)in-ˈgrānd 

1

: forming a part of the essence or inmost being : deep-seated

ingrained prejudice

2

: worked into the grain or fiber

ingrainedly

ˈin-ˌgrā-nəd-lē 

ˈin-ˌgrānd-lē

(ˌ)in-ˈgrā-nəd-lē 

-ˈgrānd-

adverb

or less commonly engrainedly

(ˌ)in-ˈgrā-nəd-lē 

-ˈgrānd-

Synonyms

• built-in
• constitutional
• constitutive
• essential
• hardwired
• immanent
• inborn
• inbred
• indigenous
• ingrain
• inherent
• innate
• integral
• intrinsic
• native
• natural

Examples of ingrained in a Sentence

These attitudes are very deeply ingrained in the culture.

her deeply ingrained distrust of all authority

Recent Examples on the Web

Teaming must become more deliberate, more explicit, more clearly scaffolded and more deeply ingrained in the culture of the group. —Jeffrey R. Wilson, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2025

The nonprofit organization accused Filipino bishops of covering up the crimes by remaining silent on the issue, which has been largely suppressed in the country, where Catholicism is deeply ingrained. —Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025

Battling for State Legislatures: In Minnesota, Michigan and other states, fights for partisan control of statehouses have magnified the degree to which political polarization has become ingrained across the country. —Annie Karni, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025

Internal limitations, however, are rooted in mindset—fear of conflict, self-doubt or deeply ingrained beliefs. —Victoria Vitchenco, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

ingrained

adjective

in·​grained ˈin-ˌgrānd  (ˈ)in-ˈgrānd 

1

: worked into the grain or fiber

2

: forming a part of the inmost being : deep-seated

ingrained attitudes