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
What inspires you to make music these days?
—
Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025
Take a trip back in time and see how Ali still inspires Louisville 50 years later.
—Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Oct. 2025
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
—Vanessa Bates Ramirez, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2025
What’s the difference between a boss who is optimistic, practices positive thinking, coaches, and inspires their team and a bad boss who is just filled with toxic positivity?
—Mita Mallick, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
While the groom wore a simple black tux for the occasion, Hepburn donned a tea-length dress — one that still inspires brides today.
—Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Anderson inspires cult-like devotion from cinephiles and Hollywood’s power set, but the director’s commercial track record is another story.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025
Anne’s sure that Rafferty will handle it, a remark that inspires to make an allusion to Rafferty sparking fires in the hearts of others.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Her annoying personality inspires the women to try to freeze her out and reveal details about the early years of their own friendship.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025
Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025
Take a trip back in time and see how Ali still inspires Louisville 50 years later.
—Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Oct. 2025
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
—Vanessa Bates Ramirez, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2025
What’s the difference between a boss who is optimistic, practices positive thinking, coaches, and inspires their team and a bad boss who is just filled with toxic positivity?
—Mita Mallick, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
While the groom wore a simple black tux for the occasion, Hepburn donned a tea-length dress — one that still inspires brides today.
—Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Anderson inspires cult-like devotion from cinephiles and Hollywood’s power set, but the director’s commercial track record is another story.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025
Anne’s sure that Rafferty will handle it, a remark that inspires to make an allusion to Rafferty sparking fires in the hearts of others.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Her annoying personality inspires the women to try to freeze her out and reveal details about the early years of their own friendship.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspires
Verb
-
Avoid over feeding plants, which encourages foliage to grow at the expense of blooms.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Guadagnino encourages our doubts, shooting Maggie in exaggerated horror-movie closeups set to the doomy bass notes and shrieking winds of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s score.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But what drives this show and elicits more than a few tears is the relationship between Demeter (Mamie Parris) and Persephone (Analise Scarpaci).—
David Lyman,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
27 Sep. 2025
-
However, research shows that deep belly breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, which elicits the body’s relaxation response.—
Juli Fraga,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Vanessa Bates Ramirez,
Scientific American,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The exhibition also educates visitors on the policies that shaped — and threatened — neighborhoods.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Each frame evokes the gauzy coziness and charm of peak-era '80s horror films such as Silver Bullet (1985), with its wilder elements anchored by a murderers' row of accomplished performers.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The design evokes an ink pen sketch, and the natural patina only underscores the old-timey aesthetic.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inspires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspires. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share