as in breathtaking
causing great emotional or mental stimulation
an inspiring idea for a national program in which young people would commit themselves to a year of community service
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in encouraging
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
the rousing campaign speech inspired everyone to get out the vote
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in eliciting
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved)
what inspired that comment?
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in educating
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 inspiring
Sunny Fitzgerald, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2026
And his earnestness is inspiring.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
Clare Malone, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Published in 2021, Cochrun’s novel went viral with over 10,000 posts on TikTok, inspiring scores of fan art, and has been translated into eight languages.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inspiring
Adjective
Over the past decade, it's been awe-inspiring to feel the steam vents up close, see smoke billowing miles into the sky, and witness her natural fireworks.
—Sunny Fitzgerald, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2026
And his earnestness is inspiring.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
Students followed a dress code, inspiring a lifelong practice.
—Clare Malone, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Published in 2021, Cochrun’s novel went viral with over 10,000 posts on TikTok, inspiring scores of fan art, and has been translated into eight languages.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inspiring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspiring
Adjective
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Set the scene After taking a breathtaking ride through sweeping mountaintops on the Gornergrat Railway, Europe's highest open-air cogwheel railway, guests arrive in Andermatt—a fairly sleepy Swiss town.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Jan. 2026
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That breathtaking pace makes the recent deadly crash between two high-speed trains in Spain even more alarming.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety is also encouraging impacted customers to contact them by submitting a complaint online or calling 303-866-4967.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Known for encouraging collaboration in a competitive industry, Brotherton was widely regarded as someone who championed other cooks as much as his own success.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The character’s introduction in the penultimate episode ‘Plans, Tears & Sirens’ did its job in eliciting a response from LGBTQ and anti-LGBTQ audiences alike in the show’s sophomore season.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Ruiz posted about her return Monday on Facebook, eliciting many happy responses from viewers.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The awards recognize Elgin residents, groups and organizations dedicated to preserving Elgin’s historic places and character and educating the community about Elgin’s architecture, neighborhoods and history, according to a news release.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
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According to Ilko, many landscapers do not yet know about the Zone Zero requirements and his HOA has started educating them when plans are submitted for approval.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Still, one respondent saw that as an exciting opportunity.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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On paper, Paramount+’s debut UFC broadcast Saturday night was meant to usher in an exciting new era for combat sports.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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European-style art is engraved into the balcony walls, evoking the grand aura of classical theaters from past centuries.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
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The looming storm presents a test for the state’s electric grid, evoking reminders of the deadly 2021 storm.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Cowboys have mastered the art of entertaining and interesting better than any sports franchise in the world, but there is a redundancy that to the person who spends a lot of their money on it is justifiably checked out.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
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Seeing these guys unapologetically portrayed by an actor whose superpower is the audience is always with him was interesting.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Two new restaurants recently landed in the Public Market Emeryville, an ever-changing food court in the tiny but intriguing city.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
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At 6-1, 205 pounds, Nussmeier is an intriguing NFL prospect.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspiring. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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