What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hardwired
Example
Her love for music seems to be hardwired into her DNA. [hardwired: adjective]
Example
He has a hardwired instinct to protect his family from danger. [hardwired: verb]
ingrained
Example
His fear of dogs is ingrained in him since childhood. [ingrained: adjective]
Example
She has ingrained the importance of punctuality in her children. [ingrained: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ingrained is more commonly used than hardwired in everyday language. Ingrained is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hardwired is less common and typically used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hardwired and ingrained?
Hardwired is more formal than ingrained. It is often used in scientific or technical contexts, while ingrained is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
