1
as in to encourage
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 to elicit
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved)
what inspired that comment?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to educate
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 inspire
From white polka dots against black bases and brown polka dots with baby blue bases, the abstract design is gaining traction and taking on many forms within the style mecca as the rise of Y2K nostalgia inspires more playful everyday aesthetics.
—
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
The colors were inspired by our surrounding environment – violet crown skies and the green canopies of our parks and trails.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Some leaders inspire, others disappoint.
—John Hope Bryant, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
Animal behavior also inspired several names.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
The colors were inspired by our surrounding environment – violet crown skies and the green canopies of our parks and trails.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Some leaders inspire, others disappoint.
—John Hope Bryant, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
Animal behavior also inspired several names.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspire
Verb
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In interviews, real estate lawyers said that mortgage lenders are typically well aware of their clients’ other loans and sometimes even encourage the primary-residence language for second homes.—
Robert Faturechi,
ProPublica,
6 Sep. 2025
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Participants are encouraged to bring sleeping bags and food.—
Lauren Costantino
September 6,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While people have different definitions for luxury, the word typically elicits extravagance, grandeur, and exclusivity.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
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These will only elicit your threat response!—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The game serves a dual purpose by educating users about the growing prevalence of synthetic media while providing valuable data to improve BitMind’s detection algorithms.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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The school district, which educates about 23,000 students, is working toward making CPR a skill that every student learns at least once a year starting in fifth grade, said Superintendent Joe Harrington.—
Ciara McCarthy
September 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Currently on view is a solo show by artist Isabelle McCormick that blends oil painting and sculpture to evoke the virtual world in physical forms that question our relationships with technology.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
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The show’s winners got to use their real filmmaking chops to recreate a fake one, including Adam Newport-Berra, whose cinematography evoked the beauty the show’s comic characters were trying to capture.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspire. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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