Synonyms of instill

instill

verb

in-ˈstil 

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

• plant
• breed
• inculcate
• embed
• root
• implant
• inseminate
• sow
• lodge
• entrench
• drive
• imbed
• infuse
• enroot
• invest
• imbue
• infix
• inoculate
• intrench
• ingrain
• engrain
• hammer
• pound
• suffuse
• steep
• fix

Synonym Chooser

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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of instill

Although the building itself doesn’t exist in a usable form anymore, its image from a past that now seems distant can still instill hope. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 2 Nov. 2024

Using Christina Ricci's Cat Full of Spiders deck, here's what Halloween has in store for you, according to a tarot reader Comments With Halloween approaching, an eerie yet enchanting energy crackles through the air, instilling a sense of anticipation and mystery. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024

Literature and movies instill this disgust deeper still. —Salama Udaipurwala, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024

Unlike the formal period clothing worn by the heroine in Lugosi’s film, Tovar was made to wear a negligee, instilling an impression that Latinas and Latino audiences have looser morals than their English-language counterparts, Morales said. —Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 27 Oct. 2024