INSPIRED Synonyms: 139 Similar and Opposite Words

inspired 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of inspired

as in talented

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inspired

2 of 2

verb

past tense of inspire

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

as in elicited

to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved) what inspired that comment?

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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 inspired

Adjective

Seth Rogen as the voice of a tiny alien co-piloting a space bus is an inspired concoction, as is a shabbier sci-fi realm with rest stops along the intergalactic highway. — ABC News, 24 June 2026 What remained, however, was a Viking (inspired) crowd absolutely electric about Erling Haaland. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 23 June 2026

Verb

Like many of his fellow countrymen, Buji was inspired by the thought that this collective crossing could somehow unlock his dream of reaching Spain and starting a new life in Europe. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026 The plan, called FIFA Forward Enterprise, inspired Carlos Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs banker and officially Infantino’s senior adviser, to resign. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inspired

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspired

Adjective

Valentino Giovanni Luchin is a man in his 60s with two wildly different legacies — he is known as a talented, hardworking Italian chef and an inept bank robber.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026
Or talented people are placed on an initiative that is underfunded, poorly defined or no longer important.

— Ozan Ozerk, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of talented

Verb

Crystal Sosa said her husband encouraged her to take on the challenge.

— Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
Communal spaces create an environment where guests and crew are encouraged to interact, while low-maintenance materials aim to maximize crew productivity.

— Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of encouraged

Verb

Sometimes the trends are even more hyper-specific, like last year’s Pucci summer, in which influencers elicited envy while on Euro trips trapezing around in their retro prints.

— Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 30 July 2026
And the gentle, more continuous sounds of kayaking elicited little reaction, said Whitney Jones, who led and designed the study.

— Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of elicited

Verb

This is, of course, a significant departure from Tony Blair’s aim of creating a modern workforce that was largely university-educated.

— Roger Trapp, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Parents who themselves are college-educated are the most likely to expect to spend more on items for after-school activities, about $503 on average, compared to $207 among parents without college degrees.

— Emily Guskin, ABC News, 31 July 2026

Definition of educated

Adjective

Jang Gyu-ri rounds out the central trio as Hong Jae-in, a gifted viola major struggling to find her own signature sound.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Walden remembered his son as an accomplished Marine and gifted intelligence analyst whose future was cut short.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of gifted

Verb

These humble baubles once evoked summer-camp nostalgia and antique-purse collections; now, they’re affixed to viral sensations, designer duds, and semi-precious fine jewelry.

— Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026
Saldaña wore a selection from Balmain’s fall 2026 ready-to-wear collection, defined by a distinct noir sensibility that evoked a modern femme fatale archetype.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 July 2026

Definition of evoked

Adjective

This is good energy for planning a date, creative project, or one-on-one conversation that needs structure without losing spark.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
Try this creative take on bread pudding, a casserole-style tomato dish filled with savory and sweet notes.

— Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of creative

Adjective

Most obviously, if IBM is so innovative, why have its own blockchain efforts proven a bust, and why is its broader business strategy in tatters?

— Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
Talisman Designs is celebrated for creating innovative kitchen tools that add personality to every kitchen.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of innovative

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Style

“Inspired.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspired. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of inspired

adjective

verb

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