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
The feature was also partly inspired by the state of California.
—
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 25 July 2025
The stand was inspired by Lili and her grandmother selling lemonade out of a Power Wheels car.
—Kat Tran
updated July 25, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2025
The name was inspired by the property it’s built on.
—AFAR Media, 14 July 2025
His 2024 album Tears on the Beach, inspired by his time on Survivor, featured collaborations between indie rockers and reality stars—pairings that included Mannequin Pussy’s Marisa Dabice with Season 45 winner Dee Valladares, and Shannon Shaw alongside Coach Benjamin Wade, a.k.a.
—Sarah Grant, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 25 July 2025
The stand was inspired by Lili and her grandmother selling lemonade out of a Power Wheels car.
—Kat Tran
updated July 25, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2025
The name was inspired by the property it’s built on.
—AFAR Media, 14 July 2025
His 2024 album Tears on the Beach, inspired by his time on Survivor, featured collaborations between indie rockers and reality stars—pairings that included Mannequin Pussy’s Marisa Dabice with Season 45 winner Dee Valladares, and Shannon Shaw alongside Coach Benjamin Wade, a.k.a.
—Sarah Grant, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspire
Verb
-
Community members are encouraged to see the stadium before the start of the 2025 football season.—
Katie Nixon,
The Tennessean,
25 July 2025
-
During his latter stint on the council, Spelman called on Austin police to reevaluate how officers spent their time and encouraged the city to consider alternative programs to reduce crime.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
Trump’s new criticism of Putin is eliciting cautious optimism in Ukraine, where officials have repeatedly conveyed to the US president that the Russian leader is unserious about negotiations to end his three-and-a-half year war.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
9 July 2025
-
The latest tariff announcements from the White House have so far elicited a muted response from U.S. markets.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
The panel called on the convention crowd to educate themselves on their rights and speak out about their concerns — and not just online.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 July 2025
-
And as the number of A schools creeps upward, that’s ignited a debate on whether Florida is grading its schools effectively, and whether grade inflation is masking continued difficulties educating students.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Their light and fresh tones evoke thoughts of sunny days and relaxed, vacation-ready style.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspire. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share