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?
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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
It’s inspired a slew of remixes, including one Ja Rule and Tea Time made for English-speaking hip-hop fans.
—
E.r. Pulgar, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Since then, Bell has worked to spread awareness about the importance of staying up to date on colonoscopies — even collaborating on a creative campaign with Ryan Reynolds, who filmed getting the procedure, to inspire others to get checked.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
New watches in series closely inspired by vintage references, however, are more common.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 8 Nov. 2025
On Friday, the Heat coach returned to his sanctuary -- the Kaseya Center court -- and comported himself in a way that left his players inspired.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspire
E.r. Pulgar, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Since then, Bell has worked to spread awareness about the importance of staying up to date on colonoscopies — even collaborating on a creative campaign with Ryan Reynolds, who filmed getting the procedure, to inspire others to get checked.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
New watches in series closely inspired by vintage references, however, are more common.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 8 Nov. 2025
On Friday, the Heat coach returned to his sanctuary -- the Kaseya Center court -- and comported himself in a way that left his players inspired.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspire
Verb
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Her administration has encouraged the siting of data centers in Michigan through sales and use tax exemptions.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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For example, toddlers will benefit from toys that encourage them to build gross motor skills and work on early speech and literacy skills.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The suit also alleged that two former deputy district attorneys elicited false testimony during Dorotik’s original preliminary hearing and trial, suppressed evidence that should have been disclosed to Dorotik’s defense attorneys and misrepresented evidence to the jury.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
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For Gay, the political landscape at home has elicited some spontaneous reactions from strangers abroad.—
Terry Ward,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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To continue complying with SB 1383, the city must start inspecting what customers are putting in their bins and keep trying to educate those who are making mistakes.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
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Her work primarily focuses on monitoring the oil and gas industry, assessing its impacts and educating community members about production and regulation.—
Arlyssa D. Becenti,
AZCentral.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The trend captures a kind of affordable opulence, a desire to evoke the elegance of wealth without its cost.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
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Rather, Metropolitan evokes the youthful experience of being home, avoiding family, and clinging to friends during the holiday break, when responsibility remains over the horizon and your whole life is still ahead of you.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspire. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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