inspiration

noun

Definition of inspirationnext
1
as in motivation
something that arouses action or activity She traveled cross-country seeking inspiration for her next book. He credits his mother as his inspiration for becoming a social worker.

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2
as in creativity
the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others They were a group of young artists filled with inspiration.

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3
as in uplift
a feeling of ease from grief or trouble The return of summer brought with it a new sense of inspiration.

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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 inspiration Ready to take your inspiration and turn it into something tangible? — Usa Today, USA Today, 19 July 2026 Ahead, discover the best celebrity biking outfits, packed with inspiration to carry you through summer. — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 19 July 2026 Ahead, find six trending alternatives to swap your denim shorts for this summer, with styling inspiration and options to shop. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 19 July 2026 Clark suggested Cannon re-edit and overdub the recording with the stronger bass drums that would become Cannon’s trademark sound and nickname inspiration. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for inspiration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspiration
  1. motivation
  2. creativity
  3. uplift
  4. encouragement
  5. imagination
  6. comfort
  7. impetus
  8. relief
Noun
  • But some also question whether privacy is Google’s primary motivation for pushing back on the EU’s rules.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • In any business, including wine, those two motivations are not mutually exclusive.
    — Emily Saladino, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
Definition of motivation
Noun
  • Given Nolan’s famous aversion to AI, there was a relief in knowing this incredible display of creativity came primarily from practical effects and shooting on location.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • Now these artists are exploring the relationship between humor and faith with audiences that are feeling the impact of artificial intelligence on creativity and culture.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
Definition of creativity
Noun
  • That uplift would flow primarily to Skechers, which signed him on a lifetime deal in 2023 and built its entire football division around him.
    — Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Across 14 measures, the average uplift for campaigns featuring audio was 22%.
    — Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 3 July 2026
Definition of uplift
Noun
  • Still, even with that encouragement, the thought of starting over again with someone new has been an emotional adjustment.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
  • Providers recognize this transition has its ups and downs for their patients and offer some words of encouragement.
    — Isabel Lopez, Parents, 14 July 2026
Definition of encouragement
Noun
  • The plots, written with Gen Alpha at top of mind, are energetic, a little chaotic, brimming with imagination, and clearly inspired by the shows and characters Chow and his team grew up watching on networks like Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel.
    — Rachel Brodsky, Time, 14 July 2026
  • These books show the ways Black children use imagination as more than a form of escapism or fanciful thinking.
    — Brooke Harris Garad, The Conversation, 14 July 2026
Definition of imagination
Noun
  • Name the number, make the plan, and choose comfort that will still make sense next week.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
  • Odysseus counters that his lie helped win them the Trojan War, but Sinon fires back, saying that gives him no comfort when he is forced to wander among the dead.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 July 2026
Definition of comfort
Noun
  • Part of the impetus was a recent initiative called the Outdoor Adventure and Alternative Sports Strategic Plan, which sought to identify how Denver could offer more recreation opportunities to residents.
    — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 17 July 2026
  • The impetus for baseball to seize control of in-market games was accelerated by the demise of the Main Street Sports RSNs, which marooned nine MLB clubs.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of impetus
Noun
  • Given Nolan’s famous aversion to AI, there was a relief in knowing this incredible display of creativity came primarily from practical effects and shooting on location.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • Washington — Lower gas prices helped Americans feel more optimistic about the economy early this month, though that relief might be short lived if the conflict in the Middle East continues to intensify.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of relief

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inspects
inspiration
inspirational
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Cite this Entry

“Inspiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspiration. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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