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
The Looney Tunes animation–live action hybrid film is an inspired David-and-Goliath tale about the overreach and cruelty of corporations in the modern age, and its journey to release is a real-life corollary. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 With daytime dining offered during the museum’s operating hours, Symone will be Francis’s first restaurant, serving French African–inspired cuisine that uses seasonal ingredients and draws on Francis’s Jamaican and Caribbean roots. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
His love of trains and his love of the Wild West inspired him to champion the Mine Train through Nature’s Wonderland, which opened in 1960. — Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026 Things kick off with a six-minute pre-show, inspired by the fictional Hawkins radio station WSQK The Sqwuak. — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 28 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
  • At the time, Tiafoe was the most talented 10-year-old there, the son of the head maintenance guy, Constant Tiafoe, who had fled civil war in Sierra Leone with his wife.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Business leaders should treat that career growth as an outcome worth producing, not an accidental byproduct of employing talented people.
    — Aleksandr Yampolskiy, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of talented
Verb
  • More than a decade ago, the two researchers were introduced by their mutual boss, the chancellor at UCSF, who encouraged them to collaborate.
    — Pien Huang, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
  • As Brown ramped back up this summer, he and the team were encouraged by his progress.
    — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of encouraged
Verb
  • The news, revealed in court earlier in the day, elicited an audible gasp inside the courtroom and prompted Judge William Sullivan to implore jurors to work through their disagreements to break the impasse.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The news of the 2027 Met exhibition elicited a range of reactions online.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of elicited
Verb
  • An altar boy at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, he was educated at the Christian Brothers Academy and at Siena College, a Franciscan school in nearby Loudonville.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • But these students must also be educated alongside general education peers to meet federal and state class size and inclusivity regulations.
    — Melissa Brown, Chalkbeat, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of educated
Adjective
  • Newsom’s team acknowledges widespread dislike for California, even among some Democrats, but argues that the California governor is gifted and experienced at fighting back against such criticism on the national stage.
    — Steve Peoples, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • His Ian is a man who loves life — the life of a British celebrity, an erotic adventurer, and an actor who’s gifted and ambitious enough to think of himself as an artist.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of gifted
Verb
  • The Braves are a closer match to the Phillies, and this matchup has evoked October, a month that’s been too much trick and not enough treat around here.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The store pulled a children’s Halloween costume from its shelves Monday after widespread social media backlash over a garment that critics said evoked painful memories of racist minstrel caricatures.
    — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of evoked
Adjective
  • Based in Sacramento, Sugar Coated is a scratch bakery specializing in gourmet cupcakes, macarons, and individual desserts, known for creative fillings, premium ingredients and unexpected flavor combinations.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • But then came creative-class-friendly mid-tier chains such as Warby Parker, Everlane, and Madewell, followed by upscale shops like Chanel and Hermès.
    — Michael Calderone, Curbed, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of creative
Adjective
  • The mission is part of a broader effort led by USSF to leverage the United States’ innovative commercial space industry to improve the service’s ability to respond to security challenges.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
  • As a result, the company has developed innovative techniques around drill motors, bit designs — the company uses a polycrystalline diamond compact drill bit — and drilling fluids.
    — Pippa Stevens, CNBC, 5 Sep. 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 11 Sep. 2026.

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