1
as in to encourage
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
the rousing campaign speech inspired everyone to get out the vote
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to elicit
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved)
what inspired that comment?
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to educate
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
great works of visual art can inspire us in ways that the written word often cannot
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inspire
The bespoke piece was inspired by the iconic trophy trunks that LV crafts for notable sporting events, such as the NBA Finals, America’s Cup, the FIFA World Cup, and Formula 1, to name but a few.
—
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2026
The new Arawak Spa, named for the local indigenous tribe, occupies a breezy former villa with its own serenity pool, and herbal treatments inspired by the island’s first inhabitants.
—Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Keep scrolling to shop more quarter-zip sweaters inspired by Gwyneth Paltrow below.
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
Take my fun and science inspired Adventurer’s Spirit Test to know if novel challenges excite you or scare you.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2026
The new Arawak Spa, named for the local indigenous tribe, occupies a breezy former villa with its own serenity pool, and herbal treatments inspired by the island’s first inhabitants.
—Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Keep scrolling to shop more quarter-zip sweaters inspired by Gwyneth Paltrow below.
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
Take my fun and science inspired Adventurer’s Spirit Test to know if novel challenges excite you or scare you.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspire
Verb
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However, Ederheimer added that mandatory minimum sentences may not actually encourage violent offenders not to commit crimes, further adding to the complex balance of maintaining justice and community safety.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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In several high-profile cases, parents say AI chatbots encouraged their teens to commit suicide.—
Abby McCloskey,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Lobotka would dearly love to see Neapolitans out in the streets again and the tears of joy a fifth Scudetto would elicit.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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Jonathan Tropper’s screenplay hits all the right notes for this sort of thing, even eliciting genuinely emotional moments from Bautista and especially Momoa.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
27 Jan. 2026
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The talking heads educated the viewers about the basics of climbing, all while host Elle Duncan repeatedly reminded us that Honnold could die at any moment.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The film wants to evoke a strong sense of place and culture, but numerous aerial shots alone can’t dimensionalize a community.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
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The artist combines finger painting and collaging on the surface of his canvases to evoke vivid colors, bold compositions, patterns and textures.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspire. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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