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
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Recent Examples of inspires
And then that usually inspires another melody and other parts of the song.
—
Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
What, these days, inspires you to hit the gym or work hard or pursue success in other ways?
—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
The best thing about college football is the sense of community the sport inspires.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
After all, this Fire sign inspires the desire to take risks and indulge one’s lust for life.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Shining a light on fellow founders not only lifts them up but also inspires the next generation of women entrepreneurs.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
This reflection is what inspires the characters’ personal reflections, their detailing of the mythopoetic wonder of their proximity to the land, their intense solidarity with one another, and their fervent attachment to their individual and collective past.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2025
The award celebraties cinematic figures whose artistry and advocacy transcends borders and inspires global audiences.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
What, these days, inspires you to hit the gym or work hard or pursue success in other ways?
—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
The best thing about college football is the sense of community the sport inspires.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
After all, this Fire sign inspires the desire to take risks and indulge one’s lust for life.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Shining a light on fellow founders not only lifts them up but also inspires the next generation of women entrepreneurs.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
This reflection is what inspires the characters’ personal reflections, their detailing of the mythopoetic wonder of their proximity to the land, their intense solidarity with one another, and their fervent attachment to their individual and collective past.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2025
The award celebraties cinematic figures whose artistry and advocacy transcends borders and inspires global audiences.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspires
Verb
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Besides the gleaming blue hull, the 60-footer has an open layout that encourages sociability while promoting privacy in areas like the sunbed at the stern or foredeck lounge.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
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Each troll has a name and a story that encourages nature exploration and ultimately finding ways to protect the earth.—
Khadejeh Nikouyeh,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The encounter that elicits sheer agency in Hamida is her final one, with Lajo, Ram Chand’s sister.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
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But the piece de resistance is a small button on the face of the guitar that, when pressed, activates a chip on a soundboard that elicits the distinctive roar of Godzilla.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
David M. Ewalt,
Scientific American,
7 Nov. 2025
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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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Lasting under eight minutes, the sketch evokes German uniform worship and the accompanying demand for humiliation as powerfully as the stern psychosocial analysis of the day did.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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Rather, Metropolitan evokes the youthful experience of being home, avoiding family, and clinging to friends during the holiday break, when responsibility remains over the horizon and your whole life is still ahead of you.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inspires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspires. Accessed 21 Nov. 2025.
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