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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inspire
Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple.
—
Joshua Korber Hoffman, CNN, 27 Jan. 2025
They’re meant to inspire empathy, to reassure viewers that influencers are just like them.
—Maytal Eyal, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025
Jian DeLeon, men’s fashion director, Nordstrom Favorite collections: Lemaire, Sacai, Rick Owens, Kiko Kostadinov, Dior
Best show format: Louis Vuitton’s archival exhibition featuring the collectibles from Pharrell and Nigo’s archives that inspired the show.
—Rhonda Richford, WWD, 27 Jan. 2025
It is inspired by the extraordinary real-life story of Mathias Rust, a young West German teenager in 1987 who shocked the world by flying through Soviet air defences and landed a Cessna aeroplane right in the middle of the Red Square.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inspire 
Joshua Korber Hoffman, CNN, 27 Jan. 2025
They’re meant to inspire empathy, to reassure viewers that influencers are just like them.
—Maytal Eyal, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025
Jian DeLeon, men’s fashion director, Nordstrom Favorite collections: Lemaire, Sacai, Rick Owens, Kiko Kostadinov, Dior
Best show format: Louis Vuitton’s archival exhibition featuring the collectibles from Pharrell and Nigo’s archives that inspired the show.
—Rhonda Richford, WWD, 27 Jan. 2025
It is inspired by the extraordinary real-life story of Mathias Rust, a young West German teenager in 1987 who shocked the world by flying through Soviet air defences and landed a Cessna aeroplane right in the middle of the Red Square.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inspire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspire
Verb
-
The Hair Bros—aka hairstylists Nick Latham and Sean Paul Nother—are encouraging us to take a leaf out of their book and channel that '80s librarian main character energy by embracing our cowlicks.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Instead, the coach is encouraged by what he’s seen from the mobile blueliner as of late.—
Kevin Kurz,
The Athletic,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
While his college work elicited sporadic praise, his post-graduate rounds of studio interviews and auditions proved daunting.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
16 Jan. 2025
-
The gap between these two states causes some to react in anger at both the dissonance and the unfairness, but others to make memes that elicit laughter.—
Callum Booth,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The office now is responsible for educating and developing strategies with the military on how to reduce civilian harm and working with allied nations on harm reduction strategies.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Three years later, Anaheim Union High School District trustees passed a resolution to sue Mexico for $50 million for the cost of educating people like me, who were the children of unauthorized immigrants.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Enlisting three actors with distinct styles — global ambassador Shu Qi, ambassador Yo Yang and actor Fan Wei — evokes emotional resonance across generations.—
WWD,
WWD,
29 Jan. 2025
-
Her outfit evoked the essence of skirt suits from Chanel’s 1990s and early 2000s collections, which helped set the fashion house apart from its other luxury counterparts.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
28 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to inspire
Thesaurus Entries Near inspire
Cite this Entry
“Inspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspire. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share