inoculate

verb

i-ˈnä-kyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce inoculate (audio)
Definition of inoculatenext
as in to suffuse
to cause (as a person) to become filled or saturated with a certain quality or principle inoculated them with the idea that the individual can always make a difference in this world

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb inoculate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of inoculate are imbue, infuse, ingrain, leaven, and suffuse. While all these words mean "to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout," inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety.

an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

In what contexts can imbue take the place of inoculate?

While in some cases nearly identical to inoculate, imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being.

imbue students with intellectual curiosity

Where would infuse be a reasonable alternative to inoculate?

The words infuse and inoculate can be used in similar contexts, but infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance.

new members infused enthusiasm into the club

When is it sensible to use ingrain instead of inoculate?

The words ingrain and inoculate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ingrain, used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait.

clung to ingrained habits

When might leaven be a better fit than inoculate?

The meanings of leaven and inoculate largely overlap; however, leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality.

a serious play leavened with comic moments

When could suffuse be used to replace inoculate?

Although the words suffuse and inoculate have much in common, suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality.

a room suffused with light

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inoculate People can also become infected by touching infected secretions, and then inoculating themselves by touching their nose, mouth, or eyes with contaminated hands. —Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 In a world of increasing unknowns, the inoculating effects of a college degree can be the difference between weathering a storm versus being swept away by it. —Judy D. Olian, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025 Understanding the mechanics of propaganda – its use of repetition, emotional appeal, scapegoating, scare tactics and unrealistic promises – can help inoculate people against its influence. —Seth Ashley, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2025 Anti-vaxxers aren’t born; they’re inoculated against their wills. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inoculate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoculate
  1. suffuse
  2. infuse
  3. inculcate
  4. invest
  5. imbue
Verb
  • Today, jazz suffuses the city so completely that the genre is embedded in funeral traditions here, as brass bands often accompany mourners from the church to the cemetery in a celebratory display.
    — Nicholas DeRenzo, AFAR Media, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The rhythmic and narrative thrust of Khan’s Kathak suffuses everything.
    — Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of suffuse
Verb
  • Serving as an influential authority in the field of environmental restoration, disinfection, and bioremediation, ITS environmental services has built a steady reputation for effective professionalism infused with kindness.
    — William Mullane, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • With that thinking in mind, Dove infused its body wash with millions of teeny-tiny droplets that metaphorically and literally fill in the cracks.
    — Dianna Singh, Allure, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of infuse
Verb
  • Roth said employees at the charity would have to be expressing and inculcating religious doctrine, such as requiring participation in a prayer before a meal is served at a soup kitchen.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Roth said employees at the charity would have to be expressing and inculcating religious doctrine, such as requiring participation in a prayer before a meal is served at a soup kitchen.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of inculcate
Verb
  • This speaks to their remarkable resilience and the need for us — adults, institutions, policymakers, community leaders — to invest more deeply in the potential of every young person in this city.
    — Beth Swanson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Following the talks, where both nations agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, financial services, investment and climate issues, Reeves went home with a deal that would see Beijing investing 600 million pounds in the U.K. over the next five years.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of invest
Verb
  • Columbia was also ordered to overhaul its admissions process and recruitment of international students, and imbue campus security with the power of arrest.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The result of Flaherty simply hearing out people like Cory, Nicole and Daniel is shattering confessions and crescendos, which imbues the film with the kind of urgency that no fact or figure could hope to.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of imbue

Browse Nearby Words

inobservant
inoculate
inoculated
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“Inoculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoculate. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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