instil
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
-
to introduce gradually; implant or infuse
-
rare to pour in or inject in drops
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of instil
C16: from Latin instillāre to pour in a drop at a time, from stillāre to drip
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"It's not something that we need to keep pushing to instil in people's minds," a Reform UK source adds.
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
However, amid the spate of high-profile doping cases involving Kenyan athletes, including women's marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich, he has also had an awareness for the need to instil confidence in these performances.
From BBC ● Apr. 27, 2026
"It just doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever, and it may not instil any confidence in people wanting to undertake the course that I have done, and be a nurse."
From BBC ● Apr. 10, 2026
"These are symbolic gestures of intimidation intended to instil fear, but they are not effective."
From Barron's ● Jan. 9, 2026
And this curiosity about music is something the Classical-era Greeks wanted to instil in younger generations.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
Despite their fame, the children's parents and manager have instilled in them an "education-first" mentality.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Suwa nevertheless instilled in the fledgling ballerina a discipline and rigor that would carry Morishita through her career.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
That definitely instilled in him this fear of confrontation, fear of any kind of high emotions.
From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026
He led them to fourth place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and has instilled discipline and tactical nous.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
Now that I look back upon it, it was country life that formed my family’s values and are instilled in me to this day.
From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson
Alongside his parents, Nadal credits his uncle and longtime coach, Toni, with instilling his trademark mental toughness.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
The idea is that prevention is better than a cure when it comes to instilling financial responsibility in young people.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 16, 2026
Attenborough's programmes succeeded in instilling in the public an unparallelled passion and wonder for the natural world, said Gouyon.
From Barron's ● May 6, 2026
I do know I’m eternally grateful for my parents, their parents, and beyond for instilling that work ethic in us.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 22, 2026
If his upbringing at the abbey had specialized in anything, it was instilling a profound sense of unworthiness.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
