1
as in to encourage
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
the rousing campaign speech inspired everyone to get out the vote
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to elicit
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved)
what inspired that comment?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to educate
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
great works of visual art can inspire us in ways that the written word often cannot
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inspire
Attendees will gain practical insight into the animation production process and leave inspired to chart their own path in the entertainment industry.
—
Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Song plays her chief of staff and best friend, Ali Lee, inspired by Buss’ advisor, Linda Rambis.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Balat and Kayumi later told police they were inspired by the Islamic State group, according to a federal complaint.
—Erica Byfield, NBC news, 16 Apr. 2026
Their deaths inspired her to live her life to the fullest.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Song plays her chief of staff and best friend, Ali Lee, inspired by Buss’ advisor, Linda Rambis.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Balat and Kayumi later told police they were inspired by the Islamic State group, according to a federal complaint.
—Erica Byfield, NBC news, 16 Apr. 2026
Their deaths inspired her to live her life to the fullest.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspire
Verb
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To manage that reality, Manning encourages newer teachers to establish boundaries early and stick to them.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
-
On Tuesday, the New York Islanders showed a message on the video board at their Long Island arena encouraging hockey fans to donate to Duran’s legal defense fund.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The shouty missive elicited no major pushback from foreign leaders.—
Serge Schmemann,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
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Domingo, as Glover, repeatedly attempted to elicit something profound by quoting legendary NASA astronauts.—
Michael Tedder,
The Atlantic,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The enforcement effort also included educating business owners on how to spot a skimmer.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Hengemuhle said that, as human beings, there is a responsibility to do everything possible to combat hate, which requires understanding and educating one another, as well as drawing on different policing and professional backgrounds.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Some of these are arranged into more staid compositions of geometric bands of color, while others bend and bulge into shapes evoking the baroque ruination of junk-yard findings.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
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Catherine’s house doesn’t evoke Hyde Park brownstones, or even urbanity, so much as some generic Midwest vista, which is not right for this play.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspire. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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