1
as in to encourage
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
the rousing campaign speech inspired everyone to get out the vote
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2
as in to elicit
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved)
what inspired that comment?
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of inspire
On the anniversary day, a free four-week limited-time event called Blast From The Past will go live, rewarding players with items inspired by 2000s pop culture.
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Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
For a creative twist to any day on the island, The Library by the Sea serves up cocktails inspired by literary classics in a setting that feels both elegant and imaginative.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 15 Jan. 2025
The bulletin stated that Jabbar was inspired by ISIS but that there remains no evidence of any co-conspirators.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 3 Jan. 2025
The Bourbon Street attack is the seventh attack inspired by a foreign terror organization on U.S. soil since 2001, the bulletin said, and the first since 2017 to result in fatalities.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inspire 
Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
For a creative twist to any day on the island, The Library by the Sea serves up cocktails inspired by literary classics in a setting that feels both elegant and imaginative.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 15 Jan. 2025
The bulletin stated that Jabbar was inspired by ISIS but that there remains no evidence of any co-conspirators.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 3 Jan. 2025
The Bourbon Street attack is the seventh attack inspired by a foreign terror organization on U.S. soil since 2001, the bulletin said, and the first since 2017 to result in fatalities.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inspire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspire
Verb
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Fans are encouraged to show their support through donations to BeyGood.Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 13 Jan. 2025
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More muscular policing by NATO in the Baltic might encourage more assertive Chinese naval activity in the South China Sea, for example, or encourage more Iranian interdictions in the Persian Gulf.David Brennan, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Still, seeing his lover’s smile elicits memories of their happier times together.Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 6 Jan. 2025
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The researchers determined that framing the gender gap in political leadership as an outcome of men's overrepresentation—such as emphasizing that 71% of Congress is male rather than noting that 29% is female—elicited greater anger among women and heightened perceptions of injustice.Kim Elsesser, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Eaddy says the focus of the festival is to entertain, educate and inspire Black story tellers who have a desire to create stories of the struggles and the joys of the Black community.Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Jan. 2025
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The most important thing to Hatch has always been educating the kids.Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The candid expressions of both the nomad and the dog evoke a sense of warmth and connection, even in a harsh and unforgiving environment.Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
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This collection evokes the simplicity and practicality of an urban uniform, but with a beauty and elegance that is unique to Moncler.Andrea Onate, WWD, 16 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Inspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspire. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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