instil
gb/ɪnstɪl/ us/ɪnstɪl/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
formal
C1
process
1
gradually put ideas into minds
To teach or put a feeling or idea into someone slowly, over time.
Usage pattern:
instil [something] in/into [someone]
Common mistake:
Often confused with install (put equipment/software in place). Also commonly misspelled as instill (a standard US spelling) or used without in/into.
Synonyms
inculcate (Closer in meaning but more academic/formal.)
|
implant (Suggests placing an idea firmly in the mind.)
|
foster (Emphasizes encouraging something to develop rather than putting it in directly.)
Antonyms
eradicate (Means to remove an existing belief, habit, or feeling.)
|
undermine (Means to weaken confidence or belief rather than build it.)
Collocations
instil confidence
|instil fear
|instil discipline
|instil pride
|instil respect
|instil good habits
|instil values
|instil a sense of responsibility
|instil trust
|instil hope
Themes
education
|psychology
|emotions
|work
Examples
- The coach tried to instil confidence in the team after a string of losses.
- Her parents instilled a strong work ethic into her from an early age.
- The training aims to instil a culture of safety across the company.
Learner examples
- Good teachers instil a love of reading in children.
- The leader tried to instil hope into the group.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
put drops of liquid in
To put medicine in as drops, especially into the eye or ear.
Usage pattern:
instil [drops/liquid] into [eye/ear/nose/wound]
Common mistake:
Learners may use install by mistake; instil is about drops or about ideas/values.
Synonyms
drip (More general and less formal.)
|
administer (More general medical verb; not limited to drop-by-drop.)
Antonyms
drain (Means to remove liquid rather than put it in.)
|
extract (Means to take something out rather than introduce it.)
Collocations
instil eye drops
|instil drops into the eye
|instil medication
|instil saline
|instil solution
|instil anesthesia
|instil drops into the ear
|instil a disinfectant
|instil antibiotic drops
|instil a few drops
Themes
health
|medicine
|body
Examples
- The nurse instilled two drops into each eye.
- Instil the solution slowly to avoid irritation.
- A local anesthetic was instilled into the wound before the procedure.
Learner examples
- I need to instil these drops into my eye.
- She instilled two drops into his ear.
Grammar
Dictionary form
instil
IPA
GB/ɪnstɪl/
US/ɪnstɪl/
Syllables & stress
in - stil (2 syllables)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: instil
- 3rd Person Singular: instills, instils
- Present Participle: instilling
- Past: instilled
- Past Participle: instilled
Word family
Forms
instills
verb
instils
verb
instilling
verb
instilled
verb
Related words
instill
verb C1
Advanced or less common
instillation
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.