Instil/ɪnˈstɪl/ Definition 1 of 1Pro Tip 1/3Continuous Process Instilling something takes time and repetition, it's not immediate. The teacher tried to instil a love for reading over the school year. Pro Tip 2/3Positive or Negative Instil can involve both good and bad qualities or beliefs. The news coverage seemed to instil a sense of panic in the population. Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Influence Instil often implies a subtle or indirect influence rather than direct teaching. The mentor’s actions and attitude instil perseverance in the team.