inculcate

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

verb (used with object)

, in·cul·cat·ed, in·cul·cat·ing.

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

   to inculcate virtue in the young.

   Synonyms: ingrain, infix, instill

2. to cause or influence (someone) to accept an idea or feeling (usually followed by with ):

   Socrates inculcated his pupils with the love of truth.

inculcate

/ ˈɪnkʌlˌkeɪt; ɪnˈkʌlkeɪt /

verb

1. tr to instil by forceful or insistent repetition

Derived Forms

• ˈinculˌcator, noun
• ˌinculˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• incul·cation noun
• in·cul·ca·tive [in-, kuhl, -k, uh, -tiv], in·culca·tory adjective
• in·culca·tor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inculcate¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin inculcātus, past participle of inculcāre “to trample, impress, stuff in,” equivalent to in- “in” + culc- (variant, in noninitial position, of calc-, stem of calx “heel”) + -ātus past participle suffix; in- ², -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of inculcate¹

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

Example Sentences

Yet his father’s values — like championing Indigenous rights and valuing education —- were inculcated in the young boy.

From New York Times

To inculcate “patriotism” and martial pride, he invited retired soldiers to campus and proposed putting a battle tank on display.

From New York Times

Despite being physically gone, Numa continues to narrate the course of the film, a deliberate storytelling choice by Bayona that inculcates the theme of consumption as a type of communion.

From Salon

The documentary, “Israelism,” investigates what it calls the uncritical love of the Jewish state inculcated in American Jews, through the stories of two young Jews who travel to Israel and the West Bank.

From New York Times

“The reality of 20-plus years of U.S.-China relations is that mil-to-mil fails to reduce Chinese malign activity in reality while inculcating a false sense of security in Washington,” he said.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• impart
• indoctrinate
• instill