To instill something is to infuse it slowly or gradually into the mind or feelings of another. This verb is usually used of desirable qualities such as a sense of humility or self-confidence. To inculcate something, such as a particular value or principle, is to implant it by repeated statement or admonition, or, to teach it persistently and earnestly. Both of these verbs deal with imparting information or ideas to an individual or group of people, but instill takes a slow, gradual, drip-by-drip approach. Inculcate, on the other hand, goes the more direct and forceful route. You see, inculcate comes from the Latin verb inculcāre meaning “to trample, impress, stuff in,” which sheds light on the occasional (though now obsolete) use of this imposing verb to mean “to tread upon” or “to trample.”

To deceive someone is to mislead them by false appearance or statement. Hoodwink is a close synonym, defined succinctly as “to deceive or trick.” But to understand the nuances in how hoodwink is used, it is helpful to be familiar with the term’s history. Hoodwink’s earliest sense in English was “to blindfold,” as in to prevent sight by covering the eyes. It is no longer used that way, but we can think of the deceptive sense as blindfolding mentally or making one blind to the truth by way of persuasion or manipulation. Like bamboozle, hoodwink appears in a variety of contexts ranging from lighthearted and playful (Snoopy hoodwinks his owner, Charlie Brown, by wearing a mustache, for instance) to the more serious (a politician who hoodwinks the public).

To celebrate is to observe a day or commemorate an event with ceremonies or festivities. For example, it is customary to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a parade. This popular verb can also refer, a little more loosely, to having or participating in a party or an uninhibited good time. That’s where today’s synonym revel comes in. To revel is to make merry or to indulge in boisterous festivities. Though, a word to the wise, this carousing sense of revel is not as common as another. Revel is more commonly used these days to talk about taking great pleasure or delight in something: The Joycean scholar reveled in the fact that so many people were taking the day to celebrate Irish culture.