INSTILLED Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

instilled 1 of 2

adjective

as in inculcated

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instilled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of instill

as in planted

to set permanently in the consciousness or mind-set a charismatic leader who instilled in his followers a passionate commitment to the cause

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of instilled

Adjective

Analysts said meetings with management instilled confidence in Veeva's AI products. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026 Thirty years ago, McDonald instilled terror into his enemies. — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026 Our mum’s a voracious reader and really instilled reading. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 22 May 2026 Mika’s mother - a CPA, professor, and philanthropist - instilled in her an early understanding of legacy as something actively lived and carefully protected. — William Jones, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026 But watching Micah Ski definitely just instilled in this deep drive to not be a skier. — Outside Online, 28 Jan. 2026 Pilar, a former Ford Agency model and actress, instilled confidence and poise in her kids from an early age. — Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 23 Nov. 2025 Michelle reflected on how both of her parents instilled confidence in her from a young age which unquestionably informs her style sensibility to date. — Essence, 7 Nov. 2025 His mother—central in shaping his early confidence—instilled in him a kind of resilience that would later fuel his global ambitions. — Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025

Verb

Alan is determined to make the dance special for both of them and exemplifies the grace that Jenna says her mom instilled in her. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026 The last time father and son Gardiner saw each other was aboard Mitt’s whale-watching vessel, where Mitt’s drinking and subsequent erratic behavior led Jay to openly reject the waterman way of life his father had instilled in him since birth. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026 The Bloodline have instilled a legacy for years as being the top stable in WWE, but 946 has been the only true team to contend with them. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Rekindling some of the fear instilled during Operation Midway Blitz a year ago, when dozens were taken into custody by federal immigration officers during a 70-day period. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026 The family’s statement Thursday called Copenhaver above all else a devoted husband, father and grandfather who instilled the values of hard work, integrity and the service to others in his children. — Gene Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 Henry said her dedication to helping others comes from her parents, both immigrants who instilled in her a love of education. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026 China's growth has been fueled by government funding for companies as well as a culture of innovation and speed the country has instilled in its workers, experts said. — Michael Wayland, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026 Several young Guatemalans in the reform movement suggested to me that the political caution of their parents’ generation was a product of the fear instilled in them during the years of military rule and internal armed conflict. — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instilled

Adjective

Native culture is an imbedded fact of Minnesota’s history and now the Indian – a brave, a scout, God forbid somebody’s friend — is gone from the flag.

— Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
The device receives a video feed captured by external smart glasses with an embedded camera.

— Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Definition of embedded

Verb

In addition to finding recording devices similar to the ones planted in OpenAI offices, the FBI allegedly found evidence that Alfozan had planted at least one other bug.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
Trees were planted directly into the ground in the gravel patio area, and climbing vines were planted with future shade in mind.

— Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of planted

Adjective

But California Institute of Technology neuroscientist Ian Anderson, who studies social media habits, says automatic behaviors can also just indicate an ingrained habit.

— Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
How can something so ingrained in Lexington society and lexicon remain so enigmatic?

— Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of ingrained

Verb

Meanwhile, the pumpkins stacked outside grocery stores for Halloween, the field pumpkins bred for jack-o’-lantern duty, are a different plant for a different job.

— Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Where the Birds Go After the Wedding A pigeon bred and trained as a release bird typically returns to a specific home loft after being transported to an event.

— Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of bred

Adjective

Miller makes the statistical adjustments required to nail the probabilities inherent in the prices.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Curic and his team have dialed down the caricature and delivered elegance to go with the innate drama of the vehicle, which is less obviously in hock to downforce or to the cooling demands inherent with other McLarens.

— Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of inherent

Adjective

Every transformer on the grid—from the cylinders perched on utility lines to the big spiky devices at substations—trades voltage for current at a fixed ratio.

— Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
For seniors living on a fixed income, those costs can quickly add up.

— Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of fixed

Verb

Within these confines the main characters register as aliens; Wendy and Jack aren’t just flustered but people who seem to have never been inculcated with a rudimentary sense of social propriety.

— Vadim Rizov, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
We were inculcated with the importance of charity, love toward all, good works and humility, and urged to carry those virtues into adulthood.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of inculcated

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“Instilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instilled. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of instilled

adjective

verb

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