inculcate
/'inkʌlkeit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To teach or impress an idea, belief, or habit upon someone's mind through persistent, repeated instruction or urging. It implies a deliberate and often forceful effort to instill something deeply and permanently.
Usage
The verb "inculcate" is used to describe the process of implanting a principle, attitude, or skill in someone, typically through constant repetition or strong emphasis. It often carries a connotation of formal or earnest instruction aimed at long-term retention. - It is commonly followed by the prepositions in, into, or upon. - The object of what is being taught (e.g., values, discipline, ideas) is the direct object. The recipient is often introduced with "in" or "into."
Examples
- The school aims to inculcate a sense of responsibility in its students.
- Parents try to inculcate good manners into their children from a young age.
- The coach inculcated the importance of teamwork upon every player.
- It is difficult to inculcate new habits in adulthood.
Advanced Usage
- "to inculcate something in/into/upon someone": This is the standard construction for specifying both the concept being taught and the person receiving it.
- The program is designed to inculcate ethical principles in future leaders.
- Used in formal, educational, or moral contexts, such as philosophy, pedagogy, or character development.
Variants and Related Words
- Inculcation (noun): The act or process of inculcating.
- The inculcation of traditional values was central to their teaching method.
- Inculcator (noun): A person or thing that inculcates.
Synonyms
- Instill: To gradually but firmly establish an idea or feeling. (Often used more gently than "inculcate".)
- Implant: To fix an idea firmly in someone's mind.
- Ingrain: To firmly fix a habit or belief so it becomes ingrained.
- Drill: To teach by rigorous repetition and training.
Antonyms
- Eradicate: To remove or destroy completely.
- Unteach: To cause someone to forget or reject something they have been taught.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- To inculcate with: This phrasing is less common but can be found, meaning to fill someone with certain ideas.
- He was inculcated with a strong work ethic.
- While "inculcate" itself is not typically part of phrasal verbs, its meaning is central to phrases about teaching and repetition, such as "hammer home" or "drum into."
- The teacher hammered home the key formulas. (Similar in meaning to emphasizing through repetition.)
Verb
- teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
- inculcate values into the young generation