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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inspires
The assignment was for her son to write about his life and who inspires him.
—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 20 Jan. 2026
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 19 Jan. 2026
Transparent reporting inspires buyer confidence and accelerates the often-wrinkly due diligence phase, often shortening transaction timelines and reducing legal costs.
—John Hall, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Then that inspires Zach (Allen) and John (Franklin-Myers) to be just as good against the run.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
The sales pitch rhetoric inspires few.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2026
And then that usually inspires another melody and other parts of the song.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
The thing that inspires me these days is my babies and my family.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
His win shows a collective institutional political fatigue, and inspires hope, in a particularly dark time, that there is new light and new solutions to be found in American politics beyond the binary confines of institutional Democrats.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 20 Jan. 2026
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 19 Jan. 2026
Transparent reporting inspires buyer confidence and accelerates the often-wrinkly due diligence phase, often shortening transaction timelines and reducing legal costs.
—John Hall, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Then that inspires Zach (Allen) and John (Franklin-Myers) to be just as good against the run.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
The sales pitch rhetoric inspires few.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2026
And then that usually inspires another melody and other parts of the song.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
The thing that inspires me these days is my babies and my family.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
His win shows a collective institutional political fatigue, and inspires hope, in a particularly dark time, that there is new light and new solutions to be found in American politics beyond the binary confines of institutional Democrats.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspires
Verb
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Pruning perennials at the right time encourages plants to leaf out, grow bushier, develop sturdier stems, and potentially produce more flowers.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
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Loudermilk says this is just one of the many ways Lions Clubs work to support their communities and encourages anyone interested in joining to reach out.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The gift that elicits a hug from Farley Webster grew up in Michigan attending Riverside High School in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
USA Today,
10 Jan. 2026
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The thing that outrages, the thing that shocks, the thing that elicits the greatest response, and the greatest response of all of those emotional reactions is outrage, is fear, is shock, is anger.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
9 Jan. 2026
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Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Painted Turtle, which provides a summer camp experience for kids with serious medical issues, and the Bridge School, which educates children with severe speech and physical disabilities.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Love So Savage campaign showcases the brand’s latest lineup — and evokes Ancient Greek — with a backdrop of grand marble columns and statues.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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Loktev shot the film on an iPhone, which evokes a casual, intimate vibe — at least until the story accelerates into a thriller.—
Steve Dollar,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspires. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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