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
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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.
—
Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 2 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
Richard’s commitment to empowering the next generation reflects the heart of our mission — and inspires the entire FIT community.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 24 Feb. 2026
Your generous flair inspires others, but real leadership today involves balance.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 24 Feb. 2026
His dream of a vibrant, multiracial America still inspires millions of Americans today.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Harden inspires panic whenever a teammate ventures his way for a screen.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 13 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
Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 2 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
Richard’s commitment to empowering the next generation reflects the heart of our mission — and inspires the entire FIT community.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 24 Feb. 2026
Your generous flair inspires others, but real leadership today involves balance.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 24 Feb. 2026
His dream of a vibrant, multiracial America still inspires millions of Americans today.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Harden inspires panic whenever a teammate ventures his way for a screen.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 13 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
-
Launched in 2020 after the 400th anniversary of the first African slaves arriving in Jamestown, Virginia, the decade-long initiative encourages people of African descent to visit or repatriate and reconnect with their heritage and culture.—
Melanie van Zyl,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Mar. 2026
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But a general election that includes voices from across the spectrum and encourages candidates to build coalitions and draw support from everyone?—
Tom Charron,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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So yes, seeing the Red Wings enter March in a wild-card position elicits some angst.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Eric Sullivan,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Davis’ decisions impact the future of the top public university, which educates 55,000 students annually and employs 20,000 people.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After their excellent but somewhat overlooked 2023 album 3D Country — which occasionally evokes the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion — the band was feeling dispirited.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
8 Mar. 2026
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And that word — dogfight — evokes two words that apply to a lot of the talk that came up often after Canadiens practice at Honda Center on Thursday.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspires. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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