verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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UK:/ɪmˈbjuː/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:/ɪmˈbju/
rhymes with -uː
CMU ARPABET:IH2 M B Y UW1
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
verb
Meaning 1
To instill or inspire (someone) with a certain quality, feeling, or idea.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To wet or stain an object completely with some physical quality.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
The shirt was imbued with his scent.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
In general, to act in a way which results in an object becoming completely permeated or impregnated by some quality.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The entire text is imbued with the sense of melancholy and hopelessness.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
suffuse with color
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: hue
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: color, colorize, colorise, colourise, colourize, colour, color in, colour in
5
verb
Meaning 5
fill, soak, or imbue totally
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
soak the bandage with disinfectant
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: soak
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: impregnate, saturate
Narrower terms: steep, infuse, brew
6
verb
Meaning 6
spread or diffuse through
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
An atmosphere of distrust has permeated this administration
music penetrated the entire building
His campaign was riddled with accusations and personal attacks
