Merriam - Webster Word of the day *inculcate*

inculcate
verb
in·​cul·​cate in-ˈkəl-ˌkāt
ˈin-(ˌ)
inculcated; inculcating
Synonyms of inculcate

transitive verb
: to teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
inculcation
ˌin-(ˌ)kəl-ˈkā-shən
noun
inculcator
in-ˈkəl-ˌkā-tər
ˈin-(ˌ)kəl-
noun
Did you know?

Sometimes before a lesson sinks in, you’ve got to go over it in your mind for a long time. The same is true for when you want to make a path: you have to walk over it again and again. The connection between walking and learning is at the heart of inculcate, which comes from a form of the Latin verb inculcare, meaning “to tread on.” In Latin, inculcare possesses both literal and figurative meanings, referring to either the act of walking over something or to that of impressing something upon the mind, often by way of steady repetition. It is the figurative sense that survives with inculcate, which was first used in English in the 16th century. Since then, the word has kept the meaning of impressing facts, ideas, or ideals on someone through repetition. If you have trouble remembering inculcate’s definition, you may find it helpful to know that it’s a synonym of the word instill (“to impart gradually”), which shares the Latin prefix in-.
Synonyms

   endue
   indue
   imbue
   infuse
   ingrain
   engrain
   inoculate
   invest
   steep
   suffuse

Choose the Right Synonym for inculcate

implant, inculcate, instill, inseminate, infix mean to introduce into the mind.

implant implies teaching that makes for permanence of what is taught.
implanted a love of reading in her students

inculcate implies persistent or repeated efforts to impress on the mind.
tried to inculcate in him high moral standards

instill stresses gradual, gentle imparting of knowledge over a long period of time.
instill traditional values in your children

inseminate applies to a sowing of ideas in many minds so that they spread through a class or nation.
inseminated an unquestioning faith in technology

infix stresses firmly inculcating a habit of thought.
infixed a chronic cynicism


Examples of inculcate in a Sentence
The teacher inculcated in her students the importance of good study habits. dedicated teachers inculcating young minds with a love of learning
Recent Examples on the Web The United Nations itself, the efforts of its constituent members, the ethos of collective action it is supposed to inculcate — all of this reflects its central role as a linchpin in a multilateral world order, built on institutions set up in the wake of World War II. —
Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023 Biden, to his credit, has over the years inculcated the kind of loyalty from advisers that brings out the best in him—a far cry from the dueling egos of expensive campaign consultants in 1987. — Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 19 Sep. 2023 Over several decades, the fossil fuel lobby has effectively inculcated this idea. —
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inculcate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology

Latin inculcatus, past participle of inculcare, literally, to tread on, from in- + calcare to trample, from calc-, calx heel
First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of inculcate was in 1539