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.
—
Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 12 May 2026
What seemed like something to dread now actually inspires hope.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026
Strout indicates that their potential will be fulfilled in short, jump-ahead passages — one of the passages reveals that Artie inspires an awkward girl named Rhonda to help other people by becoming a minister.
—Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026
Colleagues describe Perakis-Valat as equal parts competitive and personable, an exacting leader who uses humor to defuse tense situations, someone who inspires his teams with intelligence and warmth.
—Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 8 May 2026
Deeply physical and all the more deliberate, this inspires practical action with genuine follow through.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
The legacy of this organization inspires me every single day.
—Steve Megargee, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2026
So my hope is that at least a single candidate ups their game and comes to voters with not just attacks, but something that inspires, something that sets them apart.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
This music’s power comes not only from its tempo and volume, but from the angst that inspires it, which System conveyed so well.
—Lina Lecaro, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2026
Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 12 May 2026
What seemed like something to dread now actually inspires hope.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026
Strout indicates that their potential will be fulfilled in short, jump-ahead passages — one of the passages reveals that Artie inspires an awkward girl named Rhonda to help other people by becoming a minister.
—Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026
Colleagues describe Perakis-Valat as equal parts competitive and personable, an exacting leader who uses humor to defuse tense situations, someone who inspires his teams with intelligence and warmth.
—Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 8 May 2026
Deeply physical and all the more deliberate, this inspires practical action with genuine follow through.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
The legacy of this organization inspires me every single day.
—Steve Megargee, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2026
So my hope is that at least a single candidate ups their game and comes to voters with not just attacks, but something that inspires, something that sets them apart.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
This music’s power comes not only from its tempo and volume, but from the angst that inspires it, which System conveyed so well.
—Lina Lecaro, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspires
Verb
-
Armbruster encourages drivers to compare prices between stations instead of automatically stopping at the same place every time to fill up.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 May 2026
-
The equal time law encourages more speech and empowers voters to decide the outcome of elections.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Until they are instructed specifically to consider, for example, the need to acquire food, which suddenly elicits more original depictions than did complete freedom.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
-
At Republican events around the state, mention of Acton's name elicits loud boos.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
7 May 2026
-
The Santa Ana Unified School District, which educates some 35,000 students across 52 campuses, was impacted, though.—
Kristy Hutchings,
Daily News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Where to stay near Kenai Fjords National Park Just outside the town of Seward along the Resurrection River, the Seward Windsong Lodge operates a collection of small buildings that evokes the feeling of summer camp in the woods.—
Dave Parfitt,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
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Just off to the side, a bar and lounge area evokes a subtle ’70s-style conversation pit but without the sunken layout.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspires. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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