1
as in motivations
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 comforts
a feeling of ease from grief or trouble
The return of summer brought with it a new sense of inspiration.
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Recent Examples of inspirations
Below, Vermila Studios CEO David Carrasco talks with Deadline about the importance of Spanish culture in gaming, inspirations, and what the studio potentially has next in store.
—
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
Here’s a few highlights off the album and a breakdown of its Latin music inspirations.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2026
The 18-course Devoro tasting menu (290 Euros, or around $340), which lasts three-and-a-half hours in the serving, is a fascinating fiesta of miniature dishes in which Salazar’s Andalusian origins mix and match with island inspirations.
—Paul Richardson, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Hilary Duff has long been a core pillar of my beauty inspirations—effortlessly polished, never overdone, and always rooted in glowing, healthy-looking skin.
—Olivia Cefalu, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
The two Wyatts blend their country and Red Dirt inspirations on this sweeping song about heartbreak and hurts that still simmer.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2026
Gamson went on to co-write and co-produce the final solo album by Roger Troutman, whose work with Zapp was one of Cupid & Psyche’s earliest and biggest inspirations.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
The visuals capture the inspirations that inform each designer’s craft while recognizing fashion’s ability to unite individual perspectives.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace, the main residence of Ottoman sultans, was also one of his inspirations.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
Here’s a few highlights off the album and a breakdown of its Latin music inspirations.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2026
The 18-course Devoro tasting menu (290 Euros, or around $340), which lasts three-and-a-half hours in the serving, is a fascinating fiesta of miniature dishes in which Salazar’s Andalusian origins mix and match with island inspirations.
—Paul Richardson, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Hilary Duff has long been a core pillar of my beauty inspirations—effortlessly polished, never overdone, and always rooted in glowing, healthy-looking skin.
—Olivia Cefalu, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
The two Wyatts blend their country and Red Dirt inspirations on this sweeping song about heartbreak and hurts that still simmer.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2026
Gamson went on to co-write and co-produce the final solo album by Roger Troutman, whose work with Zapp was one of Cupid & Psyche’s earliest and biggest inspirations.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
The visuals capture the inspirations that inform each designer’s craft while recognizing fashion’s ability to unite individual perspectives.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace, the main residence of Ottoman sultans, was also one of his inspirations.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspirations
Noun
-
Dillingham joins an incoherent group, mostly composed of guards, with varying motivations.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Banks tells the camera, imagining herself talking to a rival, explaining her motivations for wanting to be a producer.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Within this inspirational setting, F ZEEN ATHENS offers guests the comforts and facilities that befit a top-of-the-line city hotel.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
5 Mar. 2026
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In Ray’s bare-bones house, spotless and white and lacking any of the familiar comforts that make Colin’s life with his parents so cozy, there is a guy who reads contemporary auto-fiction who needs little reading glasses to do so.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In October 2024 ahead of her own stay at MSG, Billie Eilish recorded encouragements to take the subways for environmental benefits.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
30 Oct. 2025
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Hints, counsels, warnings, remonstrations, even encouragements are, in the end, of limited value.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
On The Tonight Show, Jimmy Fallon announced the news to huge cheers from the audience.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The loud cheers from fans in the concourses and corporate lounges at Hill Dickinson Stadium in response to that goal temporarily shifted attention away from the post-game debrief with broadcaster TNT Sports.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The houses below are famously adorned with colorful reliefs that recount the history of each owner’s family.—
Annabelle Dufraigne,
Architectural Digest,
15 Feb. 2026
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From the old mail chute in the lobby to the original grand marble portrait reliefs on the ornate curving staircase, attention to historical preservation adds charm in all the public—and even not-so-public—spaces, like the basement bank safe where the original Coca-Cola recipe once resided.—
Su-Jit Lin,
Southern Living,
27 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Toward the end of 2022 and into 2023, Perardi and Youngblood spoke constantly, looping through the same horror, the same consolations.—
Matthew Bremner,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Over three nights, hundreds of drivers in both Super Late Model and Open Wheel Modified divisions will battle through prelims on Thursday and Friday, including hot laps, heat races, consolations, and qualifiers, to earn a spot in Saturday’s high-stakes finale.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inspirations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspirations. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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