in·grain
(ËŒ)in-ˈgrÄn 
variants
or less commonly engrain
ingrained also engrained; ingraining also engraining; ingrains also engrains
: to work indelibly into the natural texture or mental or moral constitution
in·grain
ˈin-ËŒgrÄn
1
a
: made of fiber that is dyed before being spun into yarn
b
: made of yarn that is dyed before being woven or knitted
2
: thoroughly worked in : innate
in·grain
ˈin-ËŒgrÄn
: innate quality or character
Synonyms of ingrain
Examples of ingrain in a Sentence
Verb
the journalism professor has long ingrained his students with a deep respect for their chosen profession
the third-world privation he had witnessed forever ingrained itself upon the young doctor's memory
Adjective
an ingrain skepticism that saves him from falling for every hoax that comes along
Recent Examples on the Web
Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
Change is possible, no matter how ingrained our bad habits are.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Gary Trust, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
Its aims were threefold: to teach kids social and emotional skills from kindergarten through fifth grade; give them mindfulness tools and breathing techniques to manage stress and setbacks; and ingrain good habits around diet and exercise as a passport to healthy lives.
—Jack Korngold, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ingrain
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Verb
Hell yeah, bro, it’s ingrained.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
Change is possible, no matter how ingrained our bad habits are.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
Despite the movie’s immediate and enduring success, Adams notes that radio still serves a key role in helping ingrain hits in the pop consciousness.
—Gary Trust, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
Its aims were threefold: to teach kids social and emotional skills from kindergarten through fifth grade; give them mindfulness tools and breathing techniques to manage stress and setbacks; and ingrain good habits around diet and exercise as a passport to healthy lives.
—Jack Korngold, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ingrain
Cite this Entry
“Ingrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ingrain. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ingrain
1 of 2 verb
in·grain
(ˈ)in-ˈgrÄn
: to work deeply into the texture of something or into the mental or moral nature of someone
ingrain young children with responsibility
ingrain
2 of 2 adjective
in·grain
ˈin-ËŒgrÄn
1
: made of fiber that is dyed before being spun into yarn
2
: made of yarn that is dyed before being woven or knitted
ingrain carpet
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