1
as in to encourage
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
the rousing campaign speech inspired everyone to get out the vote
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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
No war, no Lincoln, no Emancipation Proclamation, no Gettysburg—neither the battle nor the address—to inspire and instruct us?
—
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
After earning herself an Academy Award with her Sense and Sensibility script, Thompson leant her pen to another Jane Austen adaptation — and helped nail down a speech that would inspire two decades worth of memes and angsty birthday cakes.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
That’s why his inaugural line of rugs and throw pillows for Loloi, which launches tomorrow, is inspired by downtown Manhattan—the place where his creative journey began.
—Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 20 Apr. 2025
The strategies presented challenge the status quo and inspire leaders to build enduring legacies.
—John Hall, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
After earning herself an Academy Award with her Sense and Sensibility script, Thompson leant her pen to another Jane Austen adaptation — and helped nail down a speech that would inspire two decades worth of memes and angsty birthday cakes.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
That’s why his inaugural line of rugs and throw pillows for Loloi, which launches tomorrow, is inspired by downtown Manhattan—the place where his creative journey began.
—Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 20 Apr. 2025
The strategies presented challenge the status quo and inspire leaders to build enduring legacies.
—John Hall, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspire
Verb
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Valencia said the seeds encourage rodents to enter the stadium and that the machines required to clean up the shells were causing noise pollution for those living close to their Mestalla stadium.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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During the Obama administration, beginning in 2009 and culminating with major rule expansions in 2012, changes to federal economy regulations inadvertently encouraged automakers to build bigger, heavier vehicles instead of lighter, more efficient ones.—
Chadwick Hagan,
National Review,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Just the mention of the legislation was enough to elicit applause and cheers from the audience.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2025
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For his part, the father read this situation well by engaging with his son without overreacting to a scenario that would understandably elicit strong emotions in many parents.—
Christian Dashiell,
Parents,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This free forum will help educate the community on the probate process and available resources available to start estate planning efforts.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Apr. 2025
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Another idea pitch presented to the White House called for more funding efforts to educate women about their menstrual cycles, the newspaper reported.—
Aris Folley,
The Hill,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This fragrance is designed to evoke memories of a dreamy summer on white beaches with crystal water.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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For The 1st Time — At Lower Prices Summer In A Bottle This summer, gourmand scents evoke a holiday feel, with increasingly modern fragrances.—
Laia Farran Graves,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspire. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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