Synonyms of inspirit

inspirit

verb

as in to inspire

to fill with courage or strength of purpose

the sight of the royal family doughtily enduring the bombing raids greatly inspirited the rest of the population

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inspire
• encourage
• hearten
• embolden
• steel
• cheer (up)
• buoy (up)
• bear up
• reinforce
• stimulate
• invigorate
• enliven
• animate
• provoke
• reenforce
• reassure
• buck up
• strengthen
• enforce
• chirk (up)
• assure
• excite
• energize
• fortify
• galvanize
• stir
• quicken
• rally
• boost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourage
• dishearten
• daunt
• depress
• undermine
• demoralize
• dispirit
• sadden
• weaken
• debilitate
• enfeeble
• intimidate
• hamstring
• psych (out)

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb inspirit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of inspirit are embolden, encourage, and hearten. While all these words mean "to fill with courage or strength of purpose," inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something.

patriots inspirited the people to resist

When is embolden a more appropriate choice than inspirit?

Although the words embolden and inspirit have much in common, embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance.

emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb

When would encourage be a good substitute for inspirit?

In some situations, the words encourage and inspirit are roughly equivalent. However, encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency.

the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

When might hearten be a better fit than inspirit?

The synonyms hearten and inspirit are sometimes interchangeable, but hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal.

a hospital patient heartened by good news