inspired 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of inspirednext
as in talented

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inspired

2 of 2

verb

past tense of inspire
1
as in encouraged
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 elicited
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved) what inspired that comment?

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3
as in educated
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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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 inspired
Adjective
An inspired taste straight from the South, this flavor features pineapple, banana, coconut, and carrot ice cream, made complete with cream cheese icing swirls, banana bread, and praline pecan pieces, of course. — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 1 July 2026 The playful print isn’t too overpowering, yet it’s guaranteed to turn heads (and collect compliments) thanks to its flattering neckline and retro-inspired vibe. — Melony Forcier, InStyle, 25 June 2026
Verb
The work inspired other researchers to think about discrepancy problems in a new way. — Quanta Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026 In early October, Chef DeVonn Francis will debut Symone, a restaurant inspired by French-African cuisine and fueled by seasonal ingredients. — News Desk, Artforum, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inspired
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspired
  1. talented
  2. encouraged
  3. elicited
  4. educated
  5. gifted
  6. evoked
  7. creative
  8. innovative
Adjective
  • Riley has a talented veteran QB (Jayden Maiava), a strong O-line and now mad scientist Gary Patterson as defensive coordinator.
    — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Created by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, Yellowjackets is the saga of a team of wildly talented high school girls soccer players who become the (un)lucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the remote northern wilderness.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of talented
Verb
  • After Wednesday's hearing, Warren said he was encouraged by the judge's questions and hoped for a ruling before students return for the new semester.
    — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The story reported that, wary of potential consequences for employment in California, Newsom had encouraged Bonta to find a solution out of court.
    — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of encouraged
Verb
  • Anthropic’s announcement elicited panic among some enthusiastic Claude adopters, who expressed concern about what a label on AI use might signal about them.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The same driver mutation, when introduced into different genetic backgrounds, elicited different responses in the circuits that govern whether a cell keeps dividing, specializes, becomes inflamed or dies.
    — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of elicited
Verb
  • Cusk, a Canadian-Brit educated at Oxford, has long been laurelled and condemned for her ruthless chronicles of selfhood.
    — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Angie Nixon’s victory in the Senate primary was powered by voters who normally don’t gravitate to progressives in the state’s lowest-income and less-educated counties.
    — Dan Merica, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of educated
Adjective
  • Espart is a technically gifted midfielder who has been converted to a right-back over the last few years at La Masia but can play both roles well.
    — Pol Ballús, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • In 2025/2026, where Barca retained the La Liga title, Flick promoted another promising graduate of La Masia’s gifted Class of 2007.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of gifted
Verb
  • The passage is eerily similar to Salinger’s own state of mind while in uniform, specifically on a day that should have evoked ecstasy.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Every visit evoked grief and fury, happiness and gratitude, disbelief and mourning.
    — Lina Sergie Attar, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of evoked
Adjective
  • Gager stepped down from his role in 2017, but his creative streak remains strong.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • At the new Artistry in Action area at University and Tasso, artists and instructors from the Pacific Art League will take visitors through the creative process — with questions welcome.
    — Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of creative
Adjective
  • That has created a rare opportunity for indie devs who want to develop truly creative and innovative titles, many of which can and will become cornerstone franchises of the future.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The Class of 2030 also makes history as the first incoming class to experience Dreamscape Learn, an immersive virtual reality learning platform that brings innovative, experiential learning into the classroom.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of innovative

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Cite this Entry

“Inspired.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspired. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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