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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to elicit
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved)
what inspired that comment?
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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
Their enthusiasm inspired him to take a closer look.
—
Ben Brubaker, Wired News, 13 July 2025
America is not used to having a local guy as the driving force of an institution with four times as much history and an even greater capacity to inspire fear and awe.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 1 July 2025
Yes, a couple of Czech producers came up with an idea influenced by or inspired by the Wim Wenders documentary about 18 months ago.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025
The La Posada and Felix Cantina story blends the Hallmark charm of Milford (Small-town USA) with the capital of The Yucatán, Mérida, celebrating culture and inspired by tradition.
—Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Ben Brubaker, Wired News, 13 July 2025
America is not used to having a local guy as the driving force of an institution with four times as much history and an even greater capacity to inspire fear and awe.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 1 July 2025
Yes, a couple of Czech producers came up with an idea influenced by or inspired by the Wim Wenders documentary about 18 months ago.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025
The La Posada and Felix Cantina story blends the Hallmark charm of Milford (Small-town USA) with the capital of The Yucatán, Mérida, celebrating culture and inspired by tradition.
—Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspire
Verb
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Their main message is to encourage couples to actively consider the decision instead of following the norm.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
12 July 2025
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The editorial also criticized health benefit eligibility after eight years of service — a policy many cities use to encourage continuity and long-term commitment.—
Josh Levy,
Sun Sentinel,
12 July 2025
Verb
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Throughout the trial's second day, the prosecution, led by Special Prosecutor Shane Young, elicited testimony and evidence against Lawson, 54, who has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence.—
Killian Baarlaer,
The Courier-Journal,
2 July 2025
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The 23andMe bankruptcy earlier this year elicited fears about the security of genetic data belonging to the company's roughly 15 million customers.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Lin was educated in China and Europe, but lived in the U.S. for three decades.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
5 July 2025
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The public announcement attempts to educate taxpayers of the Form 3520-A reporting obligation, and the Practice Unit seeks to educate IRS examiners of the Form 3520-A penalties.—
Matthew L. Roberts,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Verb
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Particularly lovely is the jewel box bar, done up in a vibrant green that evokes snap peas and leafy trees on a summer morning.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
14 July 2025
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Interiors evoke a vintage coastal summerhouse, with four-poster beds, cane furnishings, antique birding books, and soaking tubs.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspire. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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