imbue

[ im-byoo ]

verb (used with object)

, im·bued, im·bu·ing.

1. to impregnate or inspire, as with feelings, opinions, etc.:

   The new political leader was imbued with the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

   Synonyms: fire, infect, charge

2. to saturate or impregnate with moisture, color, etc.

   Synonyms: soak, tincture, infuse, permeate

3. to imbrue.

imbue

/ ɪmˈbjuː /

verb

1. to instil or inspire (with ideals, principles, etc)

   his sermons were imbued with the spirit of the Reformation

2. rare.
   to soak, esp with moisture, dye, etc

Derived Forms

• imˈbuement, noun

Other Words From

• im·bue·ment noun
• pre·im·bue verb (used with object) preimbued preimbuing

Word History and Origins

Origin of imbue¹

First recorded in 1545–55, imbue is from the Latin word imbuere “to wet, drench”

Word History and Origins

Origin of imbue¹

C16: from Latin imbuere to stain, accustom

Example Sentences

Long before the days of sharing minutiae on social media, Rich knew how seeing the familiar from a photographic distance can heighten our surroundings and imbue routines with new meaning.

From Washington Post

First, her parents imbued in her a strong sense of financial responsibility as a child.

From Ozy

Oh, yeah—it also seems to reduce age-related cognitive decline and has imbued healthy animals—mice, at least—with almost photographic memory.

From MIT Technology Review

Most notably, the PlayStation 5 features technology that can imbue 3D audio in any headset you connect to the console.

From Popular-Science

Statements had to be imbued with a negative feeling that is typically a combination of anger and disgust, and the users had to be really worked up about the topic.

From Popular-Science

They practiced ceremonial cannibalism, believing the hearts of their victims would imbue them with power.

From The Daily Beast

Now, way up high in the North Carolina mountains, a Land of Oz can imbue a little magic.

From The Daily Beast

And the use of reverberating metallic sound effects to imbue every other moment with sinister portent gets tedious after awhile.

From The Daily Beast

They had hoped for a younger man with more manifest energy and charisma to imbue the church with a new spirit.

From The Daily Beast

“Unfortunately, the Jesuits failed to imbue me with the true Christian faith,” Castro told Frei Betto.

From The Daily Beast

And this effect of the law tends to imbue the proprietors with corresponding sentiments and feelings.

From Project Gutenberg

And more specifically he must imbue himself with the spirit of the childlike literature.

From Project Gutenberg

But even if it would not expose itself, it would be infinitely best to imbue it with righteous principle.

From Project Gutenberg

Lastly, General Ptain managed to imbue all ranks with his energy and faith, and the enemy's drive was stopped.

From Project Gutenberg

Cynthia went from one to the other, trying to convince them and to imbue them with her own belief in Neal, but she could not.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• inculcate
• ingrain
• instill
• leaven
• permeate
• pervade
• steep
• suffuse