instill

verb

in·​still in-ˈstil 

instilled; instilling; instills

transitive verb

1

: to impart gradually

instilling a love of learning in children

2

: to cause to enter drop by drop

instill medication into the infected eye

instillation

ˌin(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən 

-(ˌ)sti-

noun

instiller

in-ˈsti-lər 

noun

instillment

in-ˈstil-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• breed
• enroot
• implant
• inculcate
• infix
• inseminate
• plant
• sow

Choose the Right Synonym for instill

implant, inculcate, instill, inseminate, infix mean to introduce into the mind.

implant implies teaching that makes for permanence of what is taught.

implanted a love of reading in her students

inculcate implies persistent or repeated efforts to impress on the mind.

tried to inculcate in him high moral standards

instill stresses gradual, gentle imparting of knowledge over a long period of time.

instill traditional values in your children

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

infix stresses firmly inculcating a habit of thought.

infixed a chronic cynicism

Examples of instill in a Sentence

a charismatic leader who instilled in his followers a passionate commitment to the cause

Recent Examples on the Web

Supporters say the law’s purpose is to instill accountability; federal discounts on drug prices should be used to help patients. —Andre Mouchard, Orange County Register, 5 Nov. 2024

However, the practical implications of such raids could be far-reaching, disrupting local economies and instilling fear within immigrant communities. —Brian Bennett, TIME, 3 Nov. 2024

Coming off of their first two losses of the season, James and the Lakers recommitted to a lot of the principles coach JJ Redick has tried to instill in them early this season. —Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024

One in five workers (22%) are instilling greater boundaries by not taking on work outside of their specific job descriptions. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin instillare, from in- + stillare to drip, from stilla drop

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

instill

verb

in·​still in-ˈstil 

: to gradually cause to feel or have

instill a love of music

instillation

ˌin(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

instiller noun

Medical Definition

instill

transitive verb

in·​still in-ˈstil 

instilled; instilling

: to cause to enter especially drop by drop

instill medication into the infected eye