inspire

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verb

Definition of INSPIRE

1

to fill with courage or strength of purpose <the rousing campaign speech inspired everyone to get out the vote>

Synonyms bear up, buck up, buoy (up), cheer (up), chirk (up), embolden, hearten, inspire, inspirit, steel

Related Words animate, enliven, invigorate; enforce, fortify, reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen; assure, reassure; boost, energize, excite, galvanize, provoke, quicken, rally, stimulate, stir

Near Antonyms demoralize, depress, sadden; debilitate, enfeeble, hamstring, undermine, weaken; intimidate, psych (out)

Antonyms daunt, discourage, dishearten, dispirit

2

to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved) <what inspired that comment?>

Synonyms elicit, evoke, inspire, raise

Related Words drag, dredge (up), extort, extract, pull, wangle, wrest, wring; coax (out), gain, get, obtain, procure, secure; bare, disclose, discover, divulge, evince, expose, reveal, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil

Near Antonyms disregard, forget, ignore, miss, neglect, overlook, overpass, pass over

3

to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding <great works of visual art can inspire us in ways that the written word often cannot>

Synonyms edify, educate, illume, illuminate, illumine, inspire, nurture

Related Words elevate, ennoble, enrich, ensoul, lift, uplift; better, improve, regenerate, renew, transform; exalt, glorify, transfigure

Near Antonyms confuse, perplex, puzzle; becloud, cloud, darken, obscure