imbue with

USAGE SUMMARY

"imbue with" is a legitimate expression in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of infusing something with a feeling, quality, or emotion. For example, "The warm embrace of his family imbued him with feelings of safety and comfort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

These things we then imbue with negative emotions and attachments.

The Guardian - Opinion

Like Jihadi John, this man – whoever he is – remains a bauble, one we imbue with significance at our own risk.

Independent

Most of his work depicts the mature female form, which he attempted to imbue with symbolic significance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Imbue with local flavour by adding scenes involving haggis, tattie scones, or cock-a-bloody-leekie. 6.

The Guardian

At his side, observing him with increasing alarm, is his F.B.I. handler (Tommy Lee Jones, in a thankless role that he manages to imbue with some gravity).

The New York Times

Physiognomy continues to be appealing, because the face is such an important social stimulus, which we always imbue with meaning, and because we live in large societies where we can't know everyone.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Vampires are imbued with romance.

The New York Times - Arts

This is research imbued with responsibility.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Yet his works are imbued with Central European Expressionism.

The New York Times - Arts

Yes, I am imbued with surrealism.

The New Yorker

She is imbued with rationalism, tolerance, progressivism.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "imbue with" when you want to express the idea of deeply instilling a quality, feeling, or characteristic into something, emphasizing a transformative effect. For example, "The artist sought to "imbue with" her paintings with a sense of peace and tranquility."

Common error

Avoid using "imbue with" when a lighter touch is more appropriate. Phrases like "tinge with" or "add to" may be more suitable if you're describing a subtle influence rather than a deep, pervasive infusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "imbue with" functions as a transitive verb phrase that requires a direct object. It signifies the act of permeating or saturating something with a particular quality, feeling, or essence. As demonstrated in Ludwig, this expression is used to describe adding value, meaning, or specific characteristics to a subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

23%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

19%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "imbue with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the act of infusing something with a particular quality or characteristic. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is considered legitimate in written English. Its applications span across various contexts, from news and media to academia, denoting a neutral to formal register. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "infuse with" or "endow with", each carrying nuanced implications. Use "imbue with" when you want to express deeply instilling some characteristic. By understanding its proper usage and common pitfalls, you can confidently incorporate "imbue with" into your writing to add depth and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infuse with

Shares the core meaning of filling something with a quality, but often suggests a more thorough permeation.

saturate with

Implies a complete filling or soaking, often to the point where nothing more can be added.

permeate with

Suggests a spreading or penetrating quality, where the quality becomes deeply ingrained.

endow with

Implies bestowing or granting a quality, often something desirable or beneficial.

fill with

A more general term indicating that something is being occupied or supplied with a quality or substance.

charge with

Suggests imbuing something with energy, emotion, or significance.

steep in

Implies prolonged exposure to a quality, leading to deep absorption.

tinge with

Suggests a slight or subtle introduction of a quality.

enrich with

Implies adding something valuable or improving the quality of something.

invest with

Suggests formally conferring a quality or power.

FAQs

How can I use "imbue with" in a sentence?

Use "imbue with" to describe the act of filling something with a particular quality, feeling, or idea. For instance, "The director aimed to "imbue with" the film with a sense of realism".

What are some alternatives to "imbue with"?

You can use alternatives such as "infuse with", "endow with", or "permeate with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "imbue in" instead of "imbue with"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "imbue" is "with". "Imbue in" is grammatically incorrect. Always use ""imbue with"".

What's the difference between "imbue with" and "fill with"?

"Fill with" is a more general term for making something full, while ""imbue with"" implies a deeper, more transformative process of instilling a quality or essence.