inspire

verb

in-ˈspī(-ə)r How to pronounce inspire (audio)
Definition of inspirenext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inspire On July 22, Anthropologie launched its exclusive 25-piece collection with Molly Yeh, inspired by her life on a sugar beet farm. — ABC News, 22 July 2026 The film, starring Barbara Ronchi, is freely inspired by the life of Natalia Ginzburg and is set in wartime Rome. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026 The Revuelto Impavido comes in a unique livery inspired meant to look like samurai armor. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 22 July 2026 The line centers on sparkling non-alcoholic apéritifs inspired by French drinking rituals. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for inspire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspire
  1. encourage
  2. elicit
  3. educate
  4. evoke
Verb
  • The fish were illegally introduced in the 1970s, so the agency encourages anglers to pursue the game fish and keep their catches.
    — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026
  • The tradition, known as lördagsgodis, began in the 1950s by Swedish health officials to encourage limiting candy-eating to once a week and prevent cavities.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
Definition of encourage
Verb
  • Nonetheless, the box office alone should elicit more respect.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Research shows that burpees elicit a comparable response in the body.
    — Jenessa Connor, Health, 17 July 2026
Definition of elicit
Verb
  • The researchers also found that the effects of air pollution on home prices were less acute in neighborhoods where residents were more highly educated and better able to adapt.
    — Daryl Fairweather, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • What began as a public hospital has evolved into one of the nation’s leading academic health systems — advancing groundbreaking research, educating generations of physicians and caregivers, and providing world-class care to patients.
    — Pradeep Khosla, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2026
Definition of educate
Verb
  • Some even say the combination of tuberose, coconut, and musk evoke the nostalgic scent of sunscreen spray—but significantly more sophisticated and complex.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 21 July 2026
  • Photos from the excursion show Wells hanging out with what seem to be all-White friends, leading some to evoke harsh feelings about Mississippi’s fraught racial history and speculate about whether race played a role in his death.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of evoke

Browse Nearby Words

inspirations
inspire
inspired
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Cite this Entry

“Inspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspire. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of inspire for Spanish Speakers

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