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

Her generation was inculcated to cozy up to men in power and treat younger women like competition or pets; she keeps her conscience as compartmentalized as a box of fishing tackle.

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“This is not about enforcing standards,” she said, “it’s about inculcating a particular value system within the officer corps.”

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

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

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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.

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Related Words

• impart 
• indoctrinate 
• instill