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
In that, Diesel x Tinder feels real and raw, skipping performative activism for something that informs and inspires.
—
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 1 June 2026
Naturally, this inspires a patio refresh, and Pottery Barn’s Outdoor Sale couldn’t have come at a better time.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
But that approach no longer inspires students.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
Create content and interaction that inspires more meaningful action.
—William Arruda, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
June calls you outward, into your network, into new conversations, and into the kind of social energy that genuinely inspires you.
—Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026
The wonder of it all inspires people to protect what remains.
—Tatjana Baleta, Time, 28 May 2026
Of course, the prospect of one of the greatest women’s footballers in history skittering around Bromley on a Saturday lunchtime in front of a smattering of fans inevitably inspires sneers.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Host Rachel Holt heads to Crane Beach in Ipswich to meet with Diedre and learn more about her style and what inspires her contemporary New England landscapes.
—Rachel Holt, CBS News, 24 May 2026
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 1 June 2026
Naturally, this inspires a patio refresh, and Pottery Barn’s Outdoor Sale couldn’t have come at a better time.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
But that approach no longer inspires students.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
Create content and interaction that inspires more meaningful action.
—William Arruda, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
June calls you outward, into your network, into new conversations, and into the kind of social energy that genuinely inspires you.
—Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026
The wonder of it all inspires people to protect what remains.
—Tatjana Baleta, Time, 28 May 2026
Of course, the prospect of one of the greatest women’s footballers in history skittering around Bromley on a Saturday lunchtime in front of a smattering of fans inevitably inspires sneers.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Host Rachel Holt heads to Crane Beach in Ipswich to meet with Diedre and learn more about her style and what inspires her contemporary New England landscapes.
—Rachel Holt, CBS News, 24 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspires
Verb
-
Each line encourages a body to shift when uttered or even when read silently to oneself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
To her daughter, 8-year-old Hazel (Nola Wallace), Paula is the fun parent, a mom who encourages ice cream for dinner, embraces cursing, enthusiastically participates in TikTok dances, and even coaches her daughter’s youth soccer team.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The word fiancé elicits at least three questions, usually with five follow-up questions.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
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But for another group of Black women, the same question elicits feelings of insecurity and defensiveness.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Part of the Who HQ series, this book educates readers about LGBTQ+ activist Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician elected in California.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
To start with, thin strips of bronze were stamped and milled to create a pattern that evokes the parallel grooves of a vinyl record.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
31 May 2026
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Over the past few years, the job market for new graduates has grown steadily worse, a hiring drought that evokes memories of the Great Recession.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspires. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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