inculcate

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

/ ɪnˈkʌl keɪt, ˈɪn kʌlˌkeɪt /

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verb (used with object), in·cul·cat·ed, in·cul·cat·ing.

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

to cause or influence (someone) to accept an idea or feeling (usually followed by with): Socrates inculcated his pupils with the love of truth.

Nearby words

incudal, incudectomy, incudes, incudomalleal, incudostapedial, inculcate, inculcation, inculpable, inculpate, incult, inculturation

Origin of inculcate

1540–50; < Latin inculcātus past participle of inculcāre to trample, impress, stuff in, equivalent to in- in-² + culc- (variant, in noninitial position, of calc-, stem of calx heel) + -ātus -ate¹

SYNONYMS FOR inculcate

1 instill, infix, ingrain.

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Related forms

in·cul·ca·tion, nounin·cul·ca·tive

[in-kuhl-kuh-tiv] /ɪnˈkʌl kə tɪv/, in·cul·ca·to·ry, adjectivein·cul·ca·tor, noun

Can be confused

inculcate indoctrinate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for inculcate

Since 1980, American child-rearing has sought to inculcate self-esteem in the young.
David's Book Club: Pinched|David Frum|April 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Larson does not explain that the Vice-Chancellor was spared in order to inculcate uncertainty.
A Witness to Hitler's Rise|Zachary Shore|May 27, 2011|DAILY BEAST
They tried to inculcate local initiative and independent action.
Selected Works of Voltairine de Cleyre|Voltairine de Cleyre
It is one of the consolations of middle-aged reformers that the good they inculcate must live after them if it is to live at all.
Beasts and Super-Beasts|Saki

Above all things, my dear, let us inculcate these great virtues and bright excellences upon our children.
Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife Abigail Adams During the Revolution|John Adams
I do not know that it does not go so far as even to inculcate justice to ourselves before generosity to our fellows.
Ishmael|Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth
What I am trying to do is to inculcate in your minds, if possible, a sane, well-balanced view of all things sexual.
Woman|William J. Robinson

British Dictionary definitions for inculcate

inculcate

/ (ˈɪnkʌlˌkeɪt, ɪnˈkʌlkeɪt) /

verb

(tr) to instil by forceful or insistent repetition

Derived Forms

inculcation, nouninculcator, noun

Word Origin for inculcate

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012