1
as in encourages
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 elicits
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved)
what inspired that comment?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in educates
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding
great works of visual art can inspire us in ways that the written word often cannot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inspires
There’s a lot of fear of China in Japan, economically and militarily, and, even though people understand there’s interdependence between the two countries, Takaichi is seen as being willing to stand up to China, which inspires a kind of nationalism.
—
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 10 Feb. 2026
So read on for the most popular Y2K names, and see what inspires you.
—Anna Earl, Parents, 8 Feb. 2026
Supporting efforts in Minnesota inspires local action Nic Banach moved back to Milwaukee in January 2025 after spending years in Minnesota.
—Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 3 Feb. 2026
This list, based on the annual Cincinnati Design Awards, which recognizes regional excellence in architecture, always inspires me to open my eyes even wider to the variety of projects getting built in Greater Cincinnati.
—Sydney Franklin, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Feb. 2026
This is what inspires me personally.
—Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
That's the kind of thing that inspires me now, is like giving some of the songs that started my career or gave me a career, giving them a new life in a way.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
When Aris tries to sell his deceased father’s belongings, the girl inspires sympathy from potential buyers.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 10 Feb. 2026
So read on for the most popular Y2K names, and see what inspires you.
—Anna Earl, Parents, 8 Feb. 2026
Supporting efforts in Minnesota inspires local action Nic Banach moved back to Milwaukee in January 2025 after spending years in Minnesota.
—Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 3 Feb. 2026
This list, based on the annual Cincinnati Design Awards, which recognizes regional excellence in architecture, always inspires me to open my eyes even wider to the variety of projects getting built in Greater Cincinnati.
—Sydney Franklin, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Feb. 2026
This is what inspires me personally.
—Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
That's the kind of thing that inspires me now, is like giving some of the songs that started my career or gave me a career, giving them a new life in a way.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
When Aris tries to sell his deceased father’s belongings, the girl inspires sympathy from potential buyers.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspires
Verb
-
Lindenmeyr encourages them to push their flight back a day, book a five-star hotel in their airport city, and take advantage of pre-flight spa treatments, great dining, and local entertainment.—
Erik Buckingham,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
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Rather, the legislation encourages agencies to develop plans that offer remote work to the fullest extent possible, which the state engineers union noted is consistent with language already outlined in the Department of General Services existing Statewide Telework Policy.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The viewer might wonder if the scene of Anna interacting with neighbor James (Shane Harper) and his drinking buddies, who are hanging out on lawn chairs in the drive, elicits more anxiety for her safety than the director intended.—
Lisa Kennedy,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
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The president says banks should cap credit card interest at 10% for a year — an idea that elicits some applause from borrowers and a lot of consternation from finance companies.—
Joel Mathis,
TheWeek,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
6 Feb. 2026
-
California educates a disproportionate share of children experiencing housing insecurity.—
Jill Stegman,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Arquiste’s best-selling Nanban, for instance, conjures the aroma of a 17th-century galleon laden with coffee, leather, and saffron, while L’Or de Louis evokes the atmosphere of an orangerie at Versailles.—
April Long,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
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Beyond poetry, this night evokes the Black tradition of oral history – passing down lessons, narratives and lived experiences through spoken word.—
Anya Sesay,
jsonline.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspires. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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