INSPIRATIONAL Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

inspirational

adjective

Definition of inspirational

as in inspiring

causing people to want to do or create something; giving inspiration an inspirational speaker Her courage is inspirational.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 inspirational In fact, Martha Stewart and Joanna Gaines are orchestrating the comeback one inspirational avocado green kitchen at a time. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2026 These postseason’s themes are more realistic than inspirational, and for good reason. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026 The deeply emotional and inspirational true story of Ian Charleson, a gifted actor whose greatest challenge becomes his greatest triumph. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2026 Throughout the evening, fans were treated to impressive routines, inspirational moments and even a few surprises, including an unexpected tech hiccup that caused ABC to scrap voting on their website. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026 From inspirational videos that pull on players’ emotions to music that everyone can sing along to on the team bus. — Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 The soaring score from Rebekka Karijord is the perfect complement for this inspirational story. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2026 For a change, Strahan and his producing partner Constance Schwartz-Morini and others sought to put the emphasis on the joyful, inspirational, galvanizing and cathartic moments that the nation experienced in the days after the attacks. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 Words like miraculous, inspirational, incredible, amazing and magical were just some of the adjectives heard at Friday’s event. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspirational

Adjective

Those two plays hint at indecision from LaFleur, which isn’t the most inspiring sign for this fanbase after how last season fell apart.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026
Home of the subversive and the sublime, the maverick and the madman, the inspired and the inspiring, the sage and the clown, and, most important, the brave.

— Tom Selleck, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of inspiring

Adjective

The duo discussed various subjects, including Colbert’s work on an upcoming Lord of the Rings film in New Zealand and his impressive suit collection, which was gifted to him after the Late Show ended.

— Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026
But now, following Mahomes’ astonishingly rapid comeback, and the Chiefs’ equally impressive retooling on the fly, their quests have intensified again.

— Mike Jones, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of impressive

Adjective

Venus in your expansive 9th house connects awkwardly with Uranus in your domestic zone, making travel, learning, or a fresh interest feel exciting and slightly disruptive.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
Pisces February 19 – March 20 A goal may become more exciting once other people are involved.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of exciting

Adjective

The early episodes, with their nervousness about FCC crackdowns and government interference in the news-gathering apparatus, suggest that American Hostage is going someplace provocative, only to have the series run out of things to say.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
Sydney Sweeney sparked widespread backlash following the release of her provocative campaign for a sports trading app.

— Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of provocative

Adjective

Connected trainers, with streaks, reminders and visualized progress, target exactly that motivational gap.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Sep. 2026
The Mets could always count on Alonso to lighten the mood on bus rides with a comedy act, or to fire them up with a motivational speech.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of motivational

Browse Nearby Words

inspiration

inspirational

inspirations

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Inspirational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspirational. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of inspirational

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nemesis

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes