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
Relevance
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
The first is prairie-style architecture, which was inspired by the flatlands of the American Midwest, where Wright was born and raised.
—
Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 15 May 2025
Poe: This one-syllable name, inspired by The Raven poet, could be a match for parents seeking a bookish name or one with a soft-gothic feel.
—Anna Earl, Parents, 15 May 2025
The ocean-facing 156-seat restaurant, which includes an eight-seat sushi bar and 12-seat pagoda bar, serves signature dishes such as black cod with iso squid pasta and A5 Wagyu steak, as well as locally inspired dishes including lobster truffle tempura and beef kushiyaki skewers.
—Pamela Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2025
This is a great opportunity for communities to honor the country’s past, celebrate its present, and inspire its future through events and video storytelling.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 15 May 2025
Poe: This one-syllable name, inspired by The Raven poet, could be a match for parents seeking a bookish name or one with a soft-gothic feel.
—Anna Earl, Parents, 15 May 2025
The ocean-facing 156-seat restaurant, which includes an eight-seat sushi bar and 12-seat pagoda bar, serves signature dishes such as black cod with iso squid pasta and A5 Wagyu steak, as well as locally inspired dishes including lobster truffle tempura and beef kushiyaki skewers.
—Pamela Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2025
This is a great opportunity for communities to honor the country’s past, celebrate its present, and inspire its future through events and video storytelling.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspire
Verb
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Goolsbee’s remarks suggest he’s encouraged by the trade truce with China, a separate 90-day pause on double-digit tariffs on other nations, and soft inflation readings for both March and April.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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Essential Utilities on Monday posted first-quarter earnings of $1.03 per share on revenue of $784 million, encouraging Janney Montgomery Scott analyst Michael Gaugler to reiterate a buy rating.—
Darla Mercado, CFP®,
CNBC,
13 May 2025
Verb
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In the office of my therapist, this formulation elicits a heavy sigh.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
16 May 2025
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With this Leafs season hanging in the balance, perhaps this is the moment Berube changes his tone and approach to elicit a response from his players?—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Verb
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From tackling the country’s vicious dictatorship to honing in on intimate personal narratives while shattering taboos, Chilean documentary filmmakers continue to push boundaries and adapt to the pulse of broader social cues, committing to wide-ranging themes that not only educate, but enthral.—
Holly Jones,
Variety,
17 May 2025
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Her responsibilities include teaching the children table manners and educating them about their family’s history, all whilst hiding her psychopathic tendencies.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
16 May 2025
Verb
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The visual — evoking the spirit of ’80s films like the David Bowie-starring Labyrinth — combined with the album’s haunting-yet-allegorical themes, further cements DannyLux’s place as a trailblazing artist in his genre.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
16 May 2025
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It’s saturated in cinephile knowing, as well as a certain anachronistic dreaminess; the sinister synth score and the use of lengthy dissolves between scenes evoke an earlier era.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspire. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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