Synonym Chooser

How does the verb suffuse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of suffuse are imbue, infuse, ingrain, inoculate, and leaven. While all these words mean "to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout," suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality.

a room suffused with light

When might imbue be a better fit than suffuse?

The meanings of imbue and suffuse largely overlap; however, imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being.

imbue students with intellectual curiosity

When is it sensible to use infuse instead of suffuse?

The words infuse and suffuse can be used in similar contexts, but infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance.

new members infused enthusiasm into the club

Where would ingrain be a reasonable alternative to suffuse?

The words ingrain and suffuse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ingrain, used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait.

clung to ingrained habits

When can inoculate be used instead of suffuse?

In some situations, the words inoculate and suffuse are roughly equivalent. However, inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety.

an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

When is leaven a more appropriate choice than suffuse?

While in some cases nearly identical to suffuse, leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality.

a serious play leavened with comic moments

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of suffuse His approach to bureaucratic combat was to suffuse the conversation with detail. Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2025 The trailer reveals the movie to be luminously shot and suffused with some intense action sequences — including one of Fahy hanging out of a shattered picture window. Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2025 His warm personal style suffuses every part of his new Los Angeles house, a place where cozy textures, the glow of candlelight, and the smell of pumpkin pie make guests feel right at home. Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2025 Someone is behind the camera, a person whose presence quietly suffuses the poem. A.o. Scott, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for suffuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffuse
Verb
  • Comme des Garçons, Undercover and Rick Owens infused their collections with deep emotion, reminding us of the power of originality and sensitivity.
    Rhonda Richford, WWD, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Elsewhere, original parquet flooring and furnishings, and delicate murals infuse the house with old-world charm. Upstairs, the second floor offers even more privacy, with a double salon and a dining room.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Sometimes, the most biting and penetrating films are the ones that poke fun at society’s absurdities—a dynamic that Mark Mylod fully understood with The Menu.
    Travis Bean, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Heavy precipitation events often cause soil runoff and don’t penetrate the ground as well as consistent rainfall over several days.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Don Banda imbues her with a sense of rebellion by putting her in a colorful party top.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 15 Mar. 2025
  • From lead-acid battery smelters to rocket testing facilities, heavy industry over the past century in California has left large swathes of land imbued with dangerous chemicals.
    Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Others are predicting a return to the anything-goes approach to FARA that pervaded the foreign influence industry before the special counsel’s investigation led to a clampdown in the first Trump administration.
    Kenneth P. Vogel, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The movie opens like an old folktale, and that tone pervades the rest of the narrative.
    Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Coach Pat Skerry said the College of Charleston used $1.1 million in NIL revenue to build its roster and UNC Wilmington invested $500,000 into its team.
    Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Concept Validation: Instead of investing resources in unproven ideas, AI rapidly evaluates concepts against historical data and market patterns.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Hunt believes that Laughton’s character and drive to win permeated the room and rubbed off on the Generals’ younger players.
    Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Once again there was a sense of the ‘70s (an era marked by Karl Lagerfeld at Chloé) permeating the collection with flouncy blouses styled with maxi skirts (a look that has skyrocketed to the top of my fall wishlist), crop tops, and mostly decorative statement belts.
    Irina Grechko, refinery29.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But manager Alex Cora didn’t rule out another possibility to fill the outfield hole presented by Abreu’s likely absence: Kristian Campbell.
    Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Oils And Nuts Have a shelf filled with olive oil, vegetable oil, and nuts?
    Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Image Clooney tried to inculcate his father’s values.
    Thea Traff, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
  • This approach, driven by the following strategies, can help inculcate a culture of innovation and transform teams into innovation champions.
    Sivakumar Ramakrishnan, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Suffuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffuse. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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