as in inspiring
causing people to want to do or create something; giving inspiration
an inspirational speaker Her courage is inspirational.
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Recent Examples of inspirational
The stars of the Olympics are the athletes who stand on the podium, adorned in medals, but Bruna Moura is proof that every athlete has an inspirational story to tell.
—
Don Riddell, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Except maybe ask for more inspirational talks and opulent enormous spaces.
—Hazlitt, 17 Feb. 2026
The inspirational sports film follows Fort Worth’s Masonic Home orphanage and its football team the Mighty Mites, who once ruled Texas high school football in the 1930s and 1940s.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Feb. 2026
Looking for inspirational lessons from elsewhere in the surrounding region doesn’t yield much encouragement.
—Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Below Black voices from the south suburbs share their thoughts on who have been, for them, among the most inspirational deceased and living African American history makers.
—Francine Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
This inspirational music over the first Ken Mok sighting is… a choice.
—Sarah Hartshorne, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2026
When recounted accurately, from beginning to end, the story of slavery is the most inspirational and unifying narrative that the country has.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
As a teacher, coach and former basketball player, Thomas went into inspirational mode at the start of his diagnosis.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
Don Riddell, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Except maybe ask for more inspirational talks and opulent enormous spaces.
—Hazlitt, 17 Feb. 2026
The inspirational sports film follows Fort Worth’s Masonic Home orphanage and its football team the Mighty Mites, who once ruled Texas high school football in the 1930s and 1940s.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Feb. 2026
Looking for inspirational lessons from elsewhere in the surrounding region doesn’t yield much encouragement.
—Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Below Black voices from the south suburbs share their thoughts on who have been, for them, among the most inspirational deceased and living African American history makers.
—Francine Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
This inspirational music over the first Ken Mok sighting is… a choice.
—Sarah Hartshorne, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2026
When recounted accurately, from beginning to end, the story of slavery is the most inspirational and unifying narrative that the country has.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
As a teacher, coach and former basketball player, Thomas went into inspirational mode at the start of his diagnosis.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspirational
Adjective
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Talking about death can be educational, empowering and inspiring.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
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How inspiring for our young learners to see, in looking at Joe McKendry’s exquisite tableau, faces that reflect their own.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Known for its arts and music festivals, incredible food, gorgeous squares, and impressive museums, the city also boasts easy beach access with Tybee Island just a quick hop, skip, and a jump away.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
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Pundits are piling on, with the groupthink of armchair analysts reflexively comparing American’s stock chart to admittedly impressive peers such as Delta and United, without recognizing their differences as compared to American, which flies the world’s largest number of passengers by far.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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What matchup Wednesday looks the most exciting?—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
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Discoveries The new guard of American talent, Diotima, Ashlyn and Aisling Camps are consistently exciting and increasingly sophisticated in new and modern ways of dressing.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Fennell is a polarizing filmmaker, with a self-consciously provocative streak.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
13 Feb. 2026
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In her provocative new spin on Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel, the Oscar-winning filmmaker announces from the get-go that this isn’t your grandmother’s windswept Gothic romance.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Robbins broke out as a motivational speaker sensation in the mid-90’s, parlaying his program into transformational programs, immersive experiences and executive education.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
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But there was one moment during the performance that stuck with me, when Bad Bunny gave an impassioned motivational speech in Spanish, urging the audience to recognize their worth.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspirational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspirational. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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