instill

[ in-stil ]

verb (used with object)

, in·stilled, in·stil·ling.

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 Words From

• in·still·er noun
• in·still·ment noun
• pre·in·still 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

Floyd co-founder and CEO Kyle Hoff said using customer feedback to iterate and refine output has been a habit his brand has instilled since its origins as a Kickstarter project.

From Digiday

Pretty, whose father instilled in her a love of old buried stuff, wonders if there might be some noteworthy artifacts buried in her land.

From Time

At Starbucks, Brewer was largely credited with cleaning up the company’s stores and instilling a new level of discipline in its operations, as my colleague Beth Kowitt reported in her 2019 profile of the executive.

From Fortune

It turned out that much of the reserve had already been shipped out, making it all the more difficult for state and local officials to instill confidence in their populations that there would still be enough for booster shots.

From Washington Post

This instilled in me a deep love for our great city and its traditions and events.

From Washington Post

Their playful exhibitions are often meant to be interactive and instill a childlike sense of joy in the viewer.

From The Daily Beast

By working together on this capsule collection, we hope to instill a sense of power, confidence and beauty in women everywhere.

From The Daily Beast

The​y ​instill a macho culture right from the start of childhood.

From The Daily Beast

For me, this child epitomizes the value of early schooling, the way it can instill a love of learning.

From The Daily Beast

Just the words “airport” and “sushi” together are enough to instill fear in the seasoned flier.

From The Daily Beast

If the disease is of such a nature as to instill fear in the minds of observers, so much the better; but that is unnecessary.

From Project Gutenberg

The sentiment they instill is of more value than any thought they may contain.

From Project Gutenberg

And first his endeavours have ever been, and they cease not yet to instill a belief in the mind of Man, there is no God at all.

From Project Gutenberg

An attempt was also made each Sunday to instill into the minds of the people something of the sacredness of the day.

From Project Gutenberg

The words foretell, distill, instill and fulfill, retain the ll of their primitives.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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