ingrain 1 of 2

variants also engrain
1
as in to inculcate
to cause (as a person) to become filled or saturated with a certain quality or principle the journalism professor has long ingrained his students with a deep respect for their chosen profession

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to etch
to produce a vivid impression of the third-world privation he had witnessed forever ingrained itself upon the young doctor's memory

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

ingrain

2 of 2

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb ingrain differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ingrain are imbue, infuse, inoculate, leaven, and suffuse. While all these words mean "to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout," ingrain, used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait.

clung to ingrained habits

When is it sensible to use imbue instead of ingrain?

The words imbue and ingrain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being.

imbue students with intellectual curiosity

Where would infuse be a reasonable alternative to ingrain?

While the synonyms infuse and ingrain are close in meaning, infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance.

new members infused enthusiasm into the club

In what contexts can inoculate take the place of ingrain?

In some situations, the words inoculate and ingrain are roughly equivalent. However, inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety.

an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

When is leaven a more appropriate choice than ingrain?

Although the words leaven and ingrain have much in common, leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality.

a serious play leavened with comic moments

When might suffuse be a better fit than ingrain?

The synonyms suffuse and ingrain are sometimes interchangeable, but suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality.

a room suffused with light

Examples 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 ingrain
Verb
If these factors are ingrained in the company culture or your role, leaving might be the best option for preserving your mental and physical health. Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 These are four lines ingrained on the French mind, or many minds. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 13 Dec. 2024 Stories that are ingrained in their mind, never to be forgotten. Benjamin MacK-Jackson, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Nov. 2024 Longoria cited her long history of political activism, explaining that it was ingrained in her family. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 22 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ingrain 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ingrain
Verb
  • This is generally seen as a positive, a sign that there’s a noble human tendency to be guided by our own internal moral compass, to remain faithful to the beliefs inculcated or passed on to us by our parents, caregivers, or cultural upbringing.
    Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
  • In his autobiography, Franklin recounts his plan to inculcate virtue and expel vice.
    Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 1 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The couple had even etched their initials on the cement slab near the fire pit.
    Paige Harriss, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The image of my grandparents greeting their nine grandchildren at the Nevele’s doors each year remains etched in my mind as the highlight of our family calendar.
    Sara Fredman Aeder, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • David Ubben ranked the top 10 CFP games of all time, and Arizona State-Texas is already entrenched in the lore.
    Chris Branch, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
  • The versatile defensive back was in the midst of a breakout season, entrenching himself as a starter despite joining the Chargers 10 days before their season opener in a trade with Tennessee.
    Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Such qualities are at odds with the inherent probabilistic nature of today’s generative AI, a statistical software that predicts words based on speech and language patterns.
    Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 14 Jan. 2025
  • The predominantly black palette, only occasionally spiced up by pops of color, left room for the explorations of menswear archetypes and wardrobe staples, seen through the brand’s inherent youthful lens to exude a carefree spirit.
    Martino Carrera, WWD, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But Vera, the character, is far more than that, and not just because Blethyn infuses her with such a captivating mix of slovenliness and precision, prickliness and empathy.
    Mary McNamara, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Her dreams of a more diverse world infuse the entire musical with a sense of hope that bubbles under all the glorious dancing and some very big laughs.
    Chad Jones, The Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In 2023, fans noticed that Zendaya appeared to be wearing a ring engraved with Holland’s initials in a video posted by her nail artist.
    Angela Yang, NBC News, 7 Jan. 2025
  • On the front is an inlaid hexagonal piece of original 'puddle iron' from the Eiffel Tower with the Paris 2024 Games emblem engraved at the center.
    Natasha Dye, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • This slow but steady loss is driven by both intrinsic aging and external stressors.
    Eva Crouse, Flow Space, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Some will argue that comparing bitcoin to gold isn’t fair since the latter is a physical asset that does have intrinsic value from its use in numerous technology products, including semiconductors, and other industrial applications.
    Taesik Yoon, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Adults who have not been inoculated can also receive the vaccine.
    Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2024
  • The seedlings’ roots have been inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungi, which provide the plants with soil nutrients and water in exchange for carbon, and produce protein-rich, edible mushrooms.
    Alexa Phillips, WIRED, 16 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near ingrain

Cite this Entry

“Ingrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ingrain. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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