inculcate

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

verb (used with object)

, in·cul·cat·ed, in·cul·cat·ing.

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

   to inculcate virtue in the young.

   Synonyms: ingrain, infix, instill

2. to cause or influence (someone) to accept an idea or feeling (usually followed by with ):

   Socrates inculcated his pupils with the love of truth.

inculcate

/ ˈɪnkʌlˌkeɪt; ɪnˈkʌlkeɪt /

verb

1. tr to instil by forceful or insistent repetition

Derived Forms

• ˈinculˌcator, noun
• ˌinculˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• incul·cation noun
• in·cul·ca·tive [in-, kuhl, -k, uh, -tiv], in·culca·tory adjective
• in·culca·tor 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

It’s a good way to inculcate toddlers on the joys of the sport.

From Popular-Science

It’s really about inculcating fashion as a work of art and concept related to civilization that’s not all that different from Arms and Armor.

From Time

That mindset is inculcated early in the training of technologists.

From Time

He would send his first child, Charles, there to be inculcated in its almost monastic philosophies—and the year-round cold showers and cult of derring-do, a kind of Shaolin Temple of the West.

From Time

This will inculcate a sense of trust in them, and they’ll love to explore your offerings.

From Search Engine Watch

Since 1980, American child-rearing has sought to inculcate self-esteem in the young.

From The Daily Beast

Larson does not explain that the Vice-Chancellor was spared in order to inculcate uncertainty.

From The Daily Beast

Enjoining therefore the duty of Covenanting, they inculcate that as an imitation of Him—swearing by himself.

From Project Gutenberg

If they inculcate virtue, it is that theological virtue whose inutility we have sufficiently shown.

From Project Gutenberg

There are, however, a few passages which inculcate upon men the propriety of a command over their temper.

From Project Gutenberg

Not until the renaissance did critics define poetry as an art of imitation endeavoring to inculcate morality.

From Project Gutenberg

We have seen that these words inculcate the exercise of Covenanting.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• impart
• indoctrinate
• instill