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
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Recent Examples of inspiration
Paris has long served as a source of lifestyle and cultural inspiration for cofounders and sisters-in-law Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard, making the city a logical next chapter for the brand.
—
Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
Signature restaurant Calusso draws inspiration from the French and Italian rivieras, while Sotogrande explores Southern Spain and the Eastern Mediterranean.
—Jesse Scott, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Machado-Graner and de Givry talked to THR about Goodbye Cruel World, its inspirations and how the film is a throwback to another period in cinema history.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
Everybody brings inspiration from different places.
—Glamour, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inspiration
Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
Signature restaurant Calusso draws inspiration from the French and Italian rivieras, while Sotogrande explores Southern Spain and the Eastern Mediterranean.
—Jesse Scott, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Machado-Graner and de Givry talked to THR about Goodbye Cruel World, its inspirations and how the film is a throwback to another period in cinema history.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
Everybody brings inspiration from different places.
—Glamour, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inspiration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspiration
Noun
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That anticlimax proved enduring motivation for son Clark, now the chairman of the Chiefs.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 May 2026
-
Most organizations continue to approach performance through the lens of the individual, focusing on motivation or endurance, while overlooking the structural conditions that quietly determine how people function over time.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Slot and his side has received plenty of criticism for their style of play this season because of its lack of intensity, aggression, speed and creativity in and out of possession.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
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An ambitious man, always pursuing new avenues for his creativity, Powell experimented with different media (radio, film and television) at a time when not many did.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 May 2026
Noun
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Across the Flixmedia network of retailers, there is an average add-to-cart uplift of 38 percent gained when shoppers engage with enriched content.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
-
Pichai carries strong values into his work—economic uplift, compassion for migrants—and says his quest is to build useful things for as many people as possible.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
6 May 2026
Noun
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For this year's campaign, Kemp rebuffed Senate Republican leaders' encouragement to challenge Ossoff and declined to endorse either Collins or Carter.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2026
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There’s so much encouragement, advice, and support happening in every one.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Each reiteration and exaggeration of Mary’s bad behavior is another civic stroke of the chisel that perfects the monumental Lincoln in our collective imagination.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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By using the language of French wines to write about Southern food, Beard was placing the latter on the same footing that European food held in the American imagination.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
Noun
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Subtle stripe detailing on both the sweater and pant hems gives this knit set a cohesive, stylish edge—and a pop of color—sans sacrificing comfort.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
16 May 2026
-
Naggoo Printed Split Maxi Dress with Pockets With a stretchy wrinkle-free fabric, vibrant print, chic side slit, and two side pockets, this summery dress checks every box for style and comfort.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
Noun
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The swell of political dissatisfaction with Starmer from many of his colleagues, and what appears to be his narrow escape from an immediate leadership challenge, provides the impetus for the government to revamp its legislative agenda.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
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The project now has fresh impetus with SBS Productions and SBS International, which is repping sales at the Cannes market.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
Noun
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The dais and the crowd stood and cheered in appreciation, and the camera cut to a shot of Tracee Ellis Ross in the audience literally breathing a sigh of relief.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
12 May 2026
-
Hot Girls Pearls Freezable Cooling Jewelry is beautifully engineered to provide instant cooling relief for all your hottest moments.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspiration. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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