tr.v. im·bued, im·bu·ing, im·bues 1. To inspire or influence thoroughly; pervade: work imbued with the revolutionary spirit. 2. To saturate, impregnate, or dye. [Middle English enbuen, imbeuen, from Latin imbuere, to moisten, stain.] Synonyms: imbue, permeate, pervade, saturate, suffuse These verbs mean to cause to be filled with a particular quality, such as an attitude or feeling: poetry imbued with lyricism; optimism that permeates a group; letters pervaded with gloom; a play saturated with ironic witticism; a heart suffused with love. See Also Synonyms at care. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.