inculcate

[in-kuhl-keyt, in-kuhl-keyt]

verb (used with object)

inculcated, inculcating 

1. to implant by repeated statement or admonition; teach persistently and earnestly (usually followed by upon orin ).

   to inculcate virtue in the young.

   Synonyms: ingrain, infix, instill

2. to cause or influence (someone) to accept an idea or feeling (usually followed bywith ).

   Socrates inculcated his pupils with the love of truth.

inculcate

/ ˈɪnkʌlˌkeɪt, ɪnˈkʌlkeɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to instil by forceful or insistent repetition

Other Word Forms

• inculcation noun
• inculcative adjective
• inculcatory adjective
• inculcator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inculcate¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin inculcātus, past participle of inculcāre “to trample, impress, stuff in,” equivalent to in- “in” + culc- (variant, in noninitial position, of calc-, stem of calx “heel”) + -ātus past participle suffix; in- ², -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of inculcate¹

C16: from Latin inculcāre to tread upon, ram down, from _in- ² + calcāre to trample, from calx heel

Example Sentences

"I think you need to try and inculcate people into an understanding of the structures of governance, how you can engage in those structures."

From BBC

“Susanna inculcated the value of tradition and heritage to everyone she knew.”

From Los Angeles Times

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that as a grant recipient, the health center had to immediately terminate programs “promoting or inculcating gender ideology” supported with the grant.

From Los Angeles Times

Athletic contests are a schoolhouse of democracy that inculcates the habits of civic engagement necessary for a free people to thrive.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet his father’s values — like championing Indigenous rights and valuing education —- were inculcated in the young boy.

From New York Times

Related Words

• impart 
• indoctrinate 
• instill