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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inspires
Great cast members display an infectious enthusiasm that inspires visitors to want to get into their load row and onto that boat and sit down as swiftly as possible.
—
Robert Niles, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
—Rohini Subrahmanyam, Scientific American, 13 Apr. 2026
How a wine’s terroir — the soils, climate, the vegetation it’s grown near — inspires the taste.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
Perreault’s emergence inspires hope that the Rangers have at least one young forward to build their top six around.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Some younger options are still on the market such as Artie Burns, Nick McCloud and Arthur Maulet, but again, there isn’t one in that group that inspires a lot of day-one confidence.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Apr. 2026
The exhibition, which celebrates Stearns’ residency at the UC Botanical Garden, reveals how Stearns inspires the ecosystems of art and science through a nontraditional artistic practice.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
And even if the subject matter is heavy at times, On My Block inspires more smiles than tears as the Freeridge kids find hope and triumph in each other.
—Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Apr. 2026
The sun's clash with Jupiter inspires you to flaunt your influence.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026
Robert Niles, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
—Rohini Subrahmanyam, Scientific American, 13 Apr. 2026
How a wine’s terroir — the soils, climate, the vegetation it’s grown near — inspires the taste.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
Perreault’s emergence inspires hope that the Rangers have at least one young forward to build their top six around.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Some younger options are still on the market such as Artie Burns, Nick McCloud and Arthur Maulet, but again, there isn’t one in that group that inspires a lot of day-one confidence.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Apr. 2026
The exhibition, which celebrates Stearns’ residency at the UC Botanical Garden, reveals how Stearns inspires the ecosystems of art and science through a nontraditional artistic practice.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
And even if the subject matter is heavy at times, On My Block inspires more smiles than tears as the Freeridge kids find hope and triumph in each other.
—Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Apr. 2026
The sun's clash with Jupiter inspires you to flaunt your influence.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspires
Verb
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Referred to as micro-celebrations, this trend encourages us to get together more frequently and, sometimes, just because.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
9 Apr. 2026
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While Mars wants to sprint forward, Luna encourages strategy, discipline and pragmatism.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Having Martinez back at Citi Field this week elicits memories of that season, manager Carlos Mendoza said.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Alice - Meaning noble, Alice also elicits feelings of magic and whimsy thanks—in part—to Alice In Wonderland.—
Holly Garcia,
Parents,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
10 Apr. 2026
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Gordon has led the Sacramento County Office of Education since 2004, overseeing an agency that directly educates more than 30,000 children and adults each year and provides support services to more than 250,000 students across 13 districts, according to previous Bee reporting.—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The movie’s antic humor evokes the international Fluxus movement of the nineteen-sixties and seventies, which made political arguments through outrageous absurdity.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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Looking for a baby name that evokes beauty and glamour?—
Lydia Wang,
Parents,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspires. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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