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
Those ideals inspired what was written into the Constitution, and the very idea that our Constitution must be amended and our nation improved by future generations who could redeem their shortcomings and address their imperfections through collective struggle and the democratic process.
—
CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative has partnered with CNN to drive awareness and education around key sustainability issues and to inspire positive action.
—Tom Page, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
The off-roader wasn’t just inspired by the original Land Rover Defender; it was designed to replace an SUV that has changed dramatically over the last decade, much to the chagrin of off-roading enthusiasts like Ineos founder Jim Ratcliffe.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Bonesaw, which was directly inspired by Buckshot Roulette, is its own Russian Roulette-esque challenge.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inspire
CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative has partnered with CNN to drive awareness and education around key sustainability issues and to inspire positive action.
—Tom Page, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
The off-roader wasn’t just inspired by the original Land Rover Defender; it was designed to replace an SUV that has changed dramatically over the last decade, much to the chagrin of off-roading enthusiasts like Ineos founder Jim Ratcliffe.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Bonesaw, which was directly inspired by Buckshot Roulette, is its own Russian Roulette-esque challenge.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspire
Verb
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Rollicking Japanese City Pop era tunes from the ‘80s and ‘90s keep energy levels up; on Sundays, off-duty geiko or maiko may be sitting at a cozy banquette nearby—they’re given a discount to encourage a local patronage, too.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
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Looking ahead, the town is also encouraging residents to reduce water use long term by replacing traditional turf grass with more drought-resistant landscaping.—
Jamie Leary,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Lueloff testified in Washington before the National Commission on Consumer Finance in 1972 about the matter, which elicited similar stories from women around the country.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
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That these images aren’t used to elicit sorrow or righteous anger isn’t a problem in and of itself; rather, the issue is that they aren’t substituted with worthwhile alternatives that stir one’s soul, or one’s moral compass.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Clara Moskowitz,
Scientific American,
17 Mar. 2026
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Salon professionals can end up spending significant money on products and time educating clients, only to see little to no ROI in return.—
Kelley Swing,
Rolling Stone,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The rooms Quietly radiant, the 89 accommodations are aesthetically a lovely contrast to the public zones, featuring deeper, warmer tones of wood in curvaceous silhouettes that evoke femininity, with plush carpeting that echoes tatami mats.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
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Your most recent collection evokes a lot of that ‘90s grunge.—
Anna Tingley,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspire. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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