inspirit

verb

in·​spir·​it in-ˈspir-ət How to pronounce inspirit (audio)
inspirited; inspiriting; inspirits

transitive verb

: to fill with spirit
inspiritingly adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for inspirit

encourage, inspirit, hearten, embolden mean to fill with courage or strength of purpose.

encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency.

the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something.

patriots inspirited the people to resist

hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal.

a hospital patient heartened by good news

embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance.

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

Examples of inspirit in a Sentence

the sight of the royal family doughtily enduring the bombing raids greatly inspirited the rest of the population
Recent Examples on the Web Howard Brandston, a prominent lighting designer who illuminated landmarks in New York and around the world, and who used light to inspirit people depressed by waning winter daylight, to prevent infections, and even to keep penguins in a zoo from looking seedy, died on Feb. 24 in Lenox, Mass. Sam Roberts, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2023 He is blinded by comforting, inspiriting harmonies, a forceful but unseeing disturbance of the peace. Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2019 The women's program is the entire backbone and inspiriting force of soccer in America - and has been ever since 1996. Sally Jenkins, courant.com, 12 June 2019 The women’s program is the entire backbone and inspiriting force of soccer in America - and has been ever since 1996. Sally Jenkins, Houston Chronicle, 12 June 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inspirit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inspirit was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near inspirit

Cite this Entry

“Inspirit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inspirit. Accessed 30 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on inspirit

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!