instill

verb

in·​still in-ˈstil How to pronounce instill (audio)
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 noun
instiller noun
instillment noun
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 Lisa and Bob Manier of Wauwatosa also want to instill a love of fish fries in their children, Archie, 2, and Judy, 6 months. Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 However, the switch to remote or hybrid work environments can instill a false sense of security in executives that their devices are only accessible to those who live under their roof. Reuven Aronashvili, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 But my mother would instill a sense of celebration every year nonetheless. Julie Lin, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2024 Warriors players often credit Kerr with instilling values and winning ways. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024 Students can also compete with each other for in-game rewards, which adds to interactivity and can instill a healthy spirit of competition. Vasilii Kiselev, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 What happens when a culture instills a broader, more encompassing definition of love, or a narrower, more restrictive definition? Georgi Gardiner, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2024 Diverse State Requirements: In contrast, Oregon mandates a board-specific ethics exam, reflecting a direct approach to instilling professional ethical standards. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2024 His teacher, no less a figure than Aristotle, would have instilled in him a love of books. Claudia Roth Pierpont, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'instill.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of instill was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near instill

Cite this Entry

“Instill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instill. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

instill

verb
in·​still in-ˈstil How to pronounce instill (audio)
: to gradually cause to feel or have
instill a love of music
instillation noun
instiller noun

Medical Definition

instill

transitive verb
in·​still in-ˈstil How to pronounce instill (audio)
instilled; instilling
: to cause to enter especially drop by drop
instill medication into the infected eye

More from Merriam-Webster on instill

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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