Dictionary.com

instill

[ in-stil ]
/ ɪnˈstɪl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR instill ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), in·stilled, in·stil·ling.

to infuse slowly or gradually into the mind or feelings; insinuate; inject: to instill courtesy in a child.
to put in drop by drop.

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Also especially British, in·stil .

Origin of instill

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

OTHER WORDS FROM instill

in·still·er, nounin·still·ment, nounpre·in·still, verb (used with object)

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH instill

install, instill
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to instill

inspire, engender, disseminate, inculcate, inject, impart, diffuse, imbue, program, impregnate, suffuse, insert, interject, indoctrinate, inseminate, impress, brainwash, insinuate, intermix, propagandize

Example sentences from the Web for instill

Medical definitions for instill

instill
[ ĭn-stĭl′ ]

v.

To pour in drop by drop.

Other words from instill

in′stil•la′tion (ĭn′stə-lā′shən) n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.