instil

Impart drop by drop

Instil is the British spelling of instill, meaning to introduce gradually into someone's mind.

You instil values in children, instil confidence in students, instil fear in opponents.

The word suggests a slow, drop-by-drop process rather than sudden transfer: Her father instilled in her a love of music.

Also used for introducing liquid drop by drop.

imbue

inculcate

Implant by persistent urging

ingrainFix deeply, permanently
implantDevice placed inside tissue
infuseSaturate by steeping

engrain · entrench · impart · embed · plant · root · fix · establish · impress · imprint

teach

educate

Provide formal instruction

instructConvey knowledge or orders
trainRail vehicle or instruct
mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor

coach · tutor · school · drill · discipline · condition · guide · enlighten · edify · nurture

inspire

motivate

Cause to act

encourageUrge forward with support
inspireStir to action
igniteStart burning something

spark · kindle · awaken · arouse · stimulate · galvanize · energize · enthuse · uplift · embolden

Opposites

gradual implantation vs. removal

instileradicate

Destroy completely, utterly

remove · extract · uproot · eliminate · purge

gradual vs. sudden transmission

instilforce

Strength or compulsion

impose · cram · force-feed · foist · bombard

nurturing vs. neglecting development

Failure to provide care

ignore · overlook · abandon · disregard · withhold

Family

instill, instilling, instills, instilled, instillation, instils, instillment

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G