instill

especially British, in·stil

[in-stil]

verb (used with object)

instilled, instilling 

1. to infuse slowly or gradually into the mind or feelings; insinuate; inject.

   to instill courtesy in a child.

   Synonyms: introduce, inculcate

2. to put in drop by drop.

Other Word Forms

• instiller noun
• instillment noun
• preinstill verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of instill¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin instillāre, equivalent to in- in- ² + stillāre “to drip”; distill

Example Sentences

The confidence she instilled in us was really cool.

From BBC

In the book, he writes of "angry crescendos and heavy silences" from his parents' bedroom, which instilled a "constant watchfulness that became instinct before I understood why".

From BBC

Cox said during a news conference that bots from Russia and China are working online to “instill disinformation and encourage violence.”

From Los Angeles Times

“He always instilled in me that we fight for the underdog. There are literally millions of people whose lives he helped over the years who have no idea who he is.”

From Los Angeles Times

Four decades into her career, Gibson epitomizes the relentless drive that her momager instilled.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• diffuse 
• disseminate 
• engender 
• imbue 
• impart 
• inculcate 
• inject 
• inspire