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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to elicit
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved)
what inspired that comment?
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inspire
And its Negroni is elegant and Florida-inspired, built with ViceVersa’s in-house dolce amaro blend called Mi-To.
—
Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Ember, the lodge's new all-day restaurant and cocktail lounge, is inspired by the idea of a communal campfire meal.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026
Possibly a class, a seminar or a conference will inspire you.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Treatments and natural products here are inspired by ancient Greek practices that emphasize a holistic approach to health.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Ember, the lodge's new all-day restaurant and cocktail lounge, is inspired by the idea of a communal campfire meal.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026
Possibly a class, a seminar or a conference will inspire you.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Treatments and natural products here are inspired by ancient Greek practices that emphasize a holistic approach to health.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspire
Verb
-
Those who noticed the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
-
One particular point of scrutiny was a $220 million ad campaign featuring Noem that encouraged people in the country illegally to leave voluntarily.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The ability for chatbots to ask follow-up questions and elicit key details from users is one area where Wachter sees room for improvement.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
But indiscriminate strikes on civilians in the Gulf and the disruptions to global trade are eliciting a global reaction.—
Tareq Alotaiba,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Plus, the Chicago Herpetological Society will be educating attendees on wildlife conservation efforts while the Fox Valley Electric Auto Association showcases the benefits of driving an electric vehicle, the city’s news release said.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The ability of a single image to evoke feelings of hope and acceptance in some viewers while unsettling others is a fascinating reality of our culture and one Opie is unbothered by.—
Fiona Sinclair Scott,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
-
And that word — dogfight — evokes two words that apply to a lot of the talk that came up often after Canadiens practice at Honda Center on Thursday.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspire. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
