Imbuing: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when you want to describe the act of filling something with a certain quality or feeling, often deeply and permanently. It can be both abstract and concrete applications.

• The artist is imbuing the canvas with vibrant colors.
• Her stories are imbued with a sense of nostalgia.

Applied when discussing the act of causing someone to feel a desire or enthusiasm to do something. It's often used in a motivational or creative setting.

• Her bravery on the battlefield could inspire anyone.
• The natural beauty of the landscape inspired him to paint.

Typically used in a more literal sense when talking about adding a particular quality or element to something, often liquid, over time. It can also be used in a figurative sense but is less intense than 'imbue'.

• You need to let the tea bags infuse in hot water for five minutes.
• His speeches always seem to infuse a sense of hope into his listeners.

Used when talking about gradually but firmly establishing an idea or feeling in someone's mind over time. Often used in educational or developmental contexts.

• The teacher worked hard to instill a love of reading in her students.
• It's important to instill good manners in children from a young age.

Use this word when talking about inspiring or instilling a strong quality or feeling into someone or something on an emotional or intellectual level.

• The teacher succeeded in imbuing her students with a love for literature.
• The movie is imbued with a sense of nostalgia.

Saturate is used when something is soaked completely, often to the point where it can't hold any more. It can be used for both physical and abstract concepts.

• The rain saturated the soil.
• Advertising has saturated the market to an overwhelming degree.

Permeate is typically used when describing something that spreads or seeps through every part of an object or space, usually involving liquids, gases, or abstract concepts like feelings.

• The smell of fresh coffee permeated the entire house.
• A sense of optimism permeated the community.

This word is often used when introducing a new quality such as enthusiasm, inspiration, or a distinct characteristic into something, usually in a more physical or practical sense.

• She managed to infuse new energy into the team.
• The chef infused the dish with exotic spices.