Synonyms of inspire

inspire

verb

in-ˈspī(-ə)r 

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

• encourage
• embolden
• hearten
• reinforce
• stimulate
• bear up
• buoy (up)
• inspirit
• cheer (up)
• provoke
• invigorate
• enliven
• steel
• reassure
• animate
• enforce
• strengthen
• excite
• buck up
• assure
• energize
• chirk (up)
• galvanize
• stir
• fortify
• rally
• quicken
• boost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourage
• daunt
• dishearten
• undermine
• depress
• demoralize
• weaken
• sadden
• intimidate
• dispirit
• debilitate
• hamstring
• enfeeble
• psych (out)

2

as in to elicit

to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved)

what inspired that comment?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• elicit
• evoke
• raise
• reveal
• call forth
• get
• educe
• pull
• gain
• obtain
• extract
• extort
• expose
• drag
• procure
• discover
• uncover
• dredge (up)
• wrest
• wring
• secure
• disclose
• coax (out)
• evince
• unveil
• divulge
• wangle
• unmask
• bare
• uncloak

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forget
• ignore
• miss
• disregard
• neglect
• pass over
• overlook
• overpass

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• educate
• enrich
• enlighten
• transform
• edify
• illumine
• nurture
• illuminate
• uplift
• improve
• elevate
• ennoble
• better
• lift
• illume
• exalt
• renew
• regenerate
• transfigure
• ensoul
• glorify

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confuse
• puzzle
• perplex
• obscure
• darken
• cloud
• becloud

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of inspire

Reed had previously torn a muscle in his thigh, received painkilling injections, famously limped onto the Madison Square Garden floor, hit two early jump shots and inspired the New York Knicks to a championship. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026

Both turned out to be inspired decisions — those two appointments transformed his mind and body. — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Beginning with the early organizing days in the 1960s, Huerta inspired passions almost as intense as her own. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

The ornament was created exclusively for the film in collaboration with production designer Karen Murphy, inspired by Jean Schlumberger’s celebrated Bird on a Rock design, introduced in 1965. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026