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, encourage, inspirit, steelRelated Words animate, enliven, invigorate; enforce, fortify, reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen; assure, reassure; boost, energize, excite, galvanize, provoke, quicken, rally, stimulate, stirNear 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, educe, raiseRelated 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, unveilNear 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, enlighten, nurtureRelated Words elevate, ennoble, enrich, ensoul, lift, uplift; better, improve, regenerate, renew, transform; exalt, glorify, transfigureNear Antonyms confuse, perplex, puzzle; becloud, cloud, darken, obscure