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
Relevance
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
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 inspires
Through his eloquence and relentless drive, Jackson didn’t just keep hope alive for himself; his dream of a vibrant, multiracial America still inspires millions of Americans today.
—
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
—Hilke Schellmann, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2026
Harden inspires panic whenever a teammate ventures his way for a screen.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
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
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
Paul takes a local gal to his hotel room for a nightcap, which inspires the gal’s husband to take a chair to Paul’s head.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Mar. 2025
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
—Hilke Schellmann, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2026
Harden inspires panic whenever a teammate ventures his way for a screen.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
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
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
Paul takes a local gal to his hotel room for a nightcap, which inspires the gal’s husband to take a chair to Paul’s head.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspires
Verb
-
The hotel encourages guests to turn off the lights, climate control systems, and water whenever they are not needed in an effort to conserve resources.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
That directional pressure mirrors the body’s natural flow patterns and encourages fluid to move centrally so it can be processed and eliminated.—
Avery Newmark,
AJC.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
20 Feb. 2026
-
To help improve the way a teacher educates, the teacher must trust you — something the coaches worry is at risk under the district's budget cuts.—
Kathryn Muchnick,
Louisville Courier Journal,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the composer also makes great use of the saxophone, which playfully dances through melodies that transport the viewer back to the swinging '60s and evokes the spirit of Henry Mancini.—
Alex Galbraith,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Foldberg leaned into the body horror, with a transformation that evokes comparisons with Italian giallo films.—
Simon Thompson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspires. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
