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
Imagined through a multigenerational lens, the collection offers an amplitude of points of view, inspirations and ideas.
—
Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 3 June 2026
My real inspirations as a kid were more like Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett, and those types of sketch comedy.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 1 June 2026
The top of American tennis is full of Black players, and nearly all of them — Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens, Coco Gauff, Hailey Baptiste, Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton and on — point to Serena and Venus as their inspirations.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 1 June 2026
The region also appeals to fans of legendary author Stephen King, whose former home and literary inspirations are based here.
—Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Wilson cites Nolte as one of his primary inspirations as an actor.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 25 May 2026
Most of my inspirations are Flemish or Italian painters, plus a few French and German ones here and there.
—Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 20 May 2026
Rather they are drawn from the same motivations and inspirations.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 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
Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 3 June 2026
My real inspirations as a kid were more like Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett, and those types of sketch comedy.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 1 June 2026
The top of American tennis is full of Black players, and nearly all of them — Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens, Coco Gauff, Hailey Baptiste, Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton and on — point to Serena and Venus as their inspirations.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 1 June 2026
The region also appeals to fans of legendary author Stephen King, whose former home and literary inspirations are based here.
—Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Wilson cites Nolte as one of his primary inspirations as an actor.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 25 May 2026
Most of my inspirations are Flemish or Italian painters, plus a few French and German ones here and there.
—Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 20 May 2026
Rather they are drawn from the same motivations and inspirations.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspirations
Noun
-
Chowchilla digs into the criminal motivations and legal repercussions, exploring how those affected by the crime fared in the decades since.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
-
Mercury — now in Cancer and your eighth house of joint ventures and psychological motivations — will clash with Saturn, which could trigger serious conversations around dating, children or even financial entanglements.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Ranging from glamping cabins to two-story log cabins, the 31 accommodations have welcome comforts that homesteaders never enjoyed—like Frette duvets.—
Jennifer Kester,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
-
There is a need to sacrifice certain comforts and freedoms for roles like this.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Noun
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All through the park, competitors and onlookers hit vapes and shout tips and encouragements into trees.—
Calin Van Paris,
Outside,
19 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
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Chatter echoes through the ballpark, only to be interrupted by the smack of an aluminum bat, cheers and a foghorn sound effect after a player hits a home run.—
James Burky,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
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While their caps and gowns for the 1,160 seniors who were eligible to graduate kept out some of the chilly air, their family members in the stands were fired up with applause and cheers for students.—
Holly Andres,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Frank Stella’s Polish Village reliefs and Maarten Baas’ Grandfather Clocks are among the signature pieces, and guided art walks run alongside rotating exhibitions in The Gallery.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2026
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His pieces include solid wood chairs with a deliberately rudimentary, almost minimal design, integrating ornamental elements such as marquetry panels or tin bas-reliefs into their backs, legs or seats.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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If those with the strongest case to make against injustice could refuse the psychic consolations of victimhood, then there is something especially unbecoming in white Americans learning to speak the language of racial grievance.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
8 June 2026
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Nothing like the durable consolations of late-life romance, but headier, more exciting and, in the worst cases, far more damaging.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspirations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspirations. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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