as in inspiring
causing people to want to do or create something; giving inspiration
an inspirational speaker Her courage is inspirational.
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Recent Examples of inspirational
What may sound like a generic inspirational tale is, in execution, an honest journey to self-acceptance, with Bell delivering a refreshingly honest performance as a character worth rooting for.
—
Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
Many attribute his sticking power to his skills as a political operator, which, alongside his inspirational speeches, have earned him comparisons with Winston Churchill.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Dyer had a mentor in Philip Hedley, the inspirational artistic director of the Theatre Royal, Stratford.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
But an April 1980 government report found that the Reverend Jesse Jackson had failed to convert his inspirational message into a workable public-school program.
—Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Mikaela Shiffrin’s Olympic journey came to an inspirational close.
—Emily Ohman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The Catholic Church has long been the highest moral authority in Poland, having played an inspirational role during occupation and foreign rule and supporting the anti-communist Solidarity movement in the 1980s.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Except maybe ask for more inspirational talks and opulent enormous spaces.
—Hazlitt, 17 Feb. 2026
The inspirational sports film follows Fort Worth’s Masonic Home orphanage and its football team the Mighty Mites, who once ruled Texas high school football in the 1930s and 1940s.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Feb. 2026
Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
Many attribute his sticking power to his skills as a political operator, which, alongside his inspirational speeches, have earned him comparisons with Winston Churchill.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Dyer had a mentor in Philip Hedley, the inspirational artistic director of the Theatre Royal, Stratford.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
But an April 1980 government report found that the Reverend Jesse Jackson had failed to convert his inspirational message into a workable public-school program.
—Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Mikaela Shiffrin’s Olympic journey came to an inspirational close.
—Emily Ohman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The Catholic Church has long been the highest moral authority in Poland, having played an inspirational role during occupation and foreign rule and supporting the anti-communist Solidarity movement in the 1980s.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Except maybe ask for more inspirational talks and opulent enormous spaces.
—Hazlitt, 17 Feb. 2026
The inspirational sports film follows Fort Worth’s Masonic Home orphanage and its football team the Mighty Mites, who once ruled Texas high school football in the 1930s and 1940s.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspirational
Adjective
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The service The friendly team offers guests a reliable and inspiring stay with superb facilities and services; attention to detail is consistent.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
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During this dynamic week, Chase brought together an inspiring and pioneering group of business owners for an extraordinary dinner at Pao Restaurant within the Faena Hotel.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Venture funding has grown from roughly $100 million in 2015 to more than $3 billion in 2025 — impressive in isolation, but marginal in the global context.—
Maurizio Caio,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
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Get ready to showcase your most impressive talents!—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Easy but exciting paths that felt like true tree lines to them.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
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Though just touring the building would have been exciting enough, on Saturday night Studio One — Abbey Road’s biggest space, typically used for recording film soundtracks — was transformed into a dance hall.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The emphasis this time around was on unity, loyalty and readiness, while keeping the most provocative systems off-camera.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
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Neither about the provocative manipulation of the judiciary nor about the major problem of addiction.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The experience also includes all the classic staples of a company retreat, including absurd team-building exercises, a series of motivational speakers and, uh, a group ASMR session.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Feb. 2026
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Consequences aren't good solutions Rewarding and punishing are motivational strategies, not problem-solving strategies.—
Ross W. Greene,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspirational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspirational. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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