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
Their system was inspired by meteor tracking, with cameras pointed in various angles to catch the entire night sky.
—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 20 June 2025
Keep scrolling to shop more skinny jeans, blazers, and button-down shirts inspired by Kate Middleton’s outfit blueprint below.
—Averi Baudler, People.com, 20 June 2025
To that end, Carsley pinned up a photo of the World Cup to inspire his young players ahead of this summer’s tournament.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Hong Kong’s relentless pace has inspired a wellness revolution where ancient rituals meet cutting-edge science.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 20 June 2025
Keep scrolling to shop more skinny jeans, blazers, and button-down shirts inspired by Kate Middleton’s outfit blueprint below.
—Averi Baudler, People.com, 20 June 2025
To that end, Carsley pinned up a photo of the World Cup to inspire his young players ahead of this summer’s tournament.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Hong Kong’s relentless pace has inspired a wellness revolution where ancient rituals meet cutting-edge science.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspire
Verb
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Outrage from the Sikh community, as well as a social media push calling for hate crime charges, encouraged prosecutors to take another look at the case, officials said.—
Sheetal Banchariya,
New York Daily News,
18 June 2025
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The five prizes were crafted based on research, evidence and consultation with teachers and education experts, and are designed to reflect key strategies that can encourage other schools to implement different strategies to strengthen their schools and communities.—
Lena Miano,
Arkansas Online,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Cheating on an assignment could elicit a level one or level two response, according to the CMS Code of Conduct.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2025
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The news that a veteran artist is about to play their entire new album would typically elicit silent groans throughout a classic rock audience, or at least a stampede to the bathrooms or bar, but Seven Psalms is a remarkable achievement, and fans have had two years to process it.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Instead, follow new rules: Entertain first, then inspire or educate.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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Elite provides hybrid education and online school — mainly homeschooling — to about 1,800 students who are primarily taught by their parents or private vendors who Elite pays to educate its students.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 June 2025
Verb
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This one from The Company Store does it on an organic, cool cotton percale duvet cover set that helps a space evoke classic farmhouse vibes.—
Jacorey Moon,
Architectural Digest,
21 June 2025
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Gain inspiration when providing video editing services, on how to evoke the right emotions as part of video marketing and increase client conversions.—
Rachel Wells,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspire. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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