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
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
—
Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
Her desire to grow and her consistency in all her tasks along the way inspires others to raise the bar.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Mabel befriends many of the animals that fled the glade and eventually inspires them to rise up against Jon Hamm’s Mayor Jerry, who wants to build a highway through the forest.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 9 Mar. 2026
Naples inspires poetic reflection, and Rosi’s contemplative style inspires us to think beyond the frame and the immediate subject matter.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
The aforementioned uprising, for example, occurs during a dance sequence that inspires an army of young women to imitate Ida, down to her peculiar face tattoos.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, Paul’s decision about the practice inspires Gaby.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2026
Reading often inspires her to write short stories that imitate the voice of an author.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 26 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
Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
Her desire to grow and her consistency in all her tasks along the way inspires others to raise the bar.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Mabel befriends many of the animals that fled the glade and eventually inspires them to rise up against Jon Hamm’s Mayor Jerry, who wants to build a highway through the forest.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 9 Mar. 2026
Naples inspires poetic reflection, and Rosi’s contemplative style inspires us to think beyond the frame and the immediate subject matter.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
The aforementioned uprising, for example, occurs during a dance sequence that inspires an army of young women to imitate Ida, down to her peculiar face tattoos.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, Paul’s decision about the practice inspires Gaby.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2026
Reading often inspires her to write short stories that imitate the voice of an author.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 26 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
-
Overwatering lawns encourages moss growth, and shallow daily watering leaves grasses with shallow root systems.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
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Kepner is passionate about accountability and service journalism and encourages anyone to reach out to her to tell their story or share a tip.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Conrad is full of wordy comic dialogue that often sings in its idiosyncrasy but also elicits little more than a chuckle.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
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New School Barbecue Barbecue elicits strong opinions—just see the comments on our annual Top 50 BBQ Joints list.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The seat belonging to David Ko sat empty once again during the March 10 school board meeting of Niles Township High School District 219, which educates students in Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove and Niles.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His sudden ascendancy during wartime, coupled with the uncertainty about his whereabouts, evokes imagery deeply embedded in the mythology of the Islamic Republic and the Shia theology that it is anchored to.—
Leila Gharagozlou,
CNN Money,
14 Mar. 2026
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Bunbury’s unmistakable voice weaves through a tapestry of blues, country, and rock, anchored by a nostalgic guitar that evokes both longing and resolve.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspires. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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