inspire

verb

in-ˈspī(-ə)r How to pronounce inspire (audio)
Definition of inspirenext
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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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 Chris Lee, a prototypical new-school executive, wants to wield influence by inspiring his charges, while Chet Hudson, an oil rig supervisor, likens his new job to breaking horses. — Judy Berman, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 Of course he’s inspired to write every day when this is what surrounds him. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026 Not exactly inspired that's what will happen, judging from Luna's comments, but time will tell. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026 The Swedish artist’s paintings, often composed of pyramids, looping lines, and flowerlike forms, were inspired by her encounters with spirits from worlds beyond our own. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inspire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspire
  1. encourage
  2. elicit
  3. educate
  4. evoke
Verb
  • Palestine Action founder Huda Ammori encouraged joining offshoot groups to circumvent the ban, the Telegraph reported.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Meta encourages its users to name their AIs—and encourages its AIs to think like humans.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of encourage
Verb
  • What sets empires apart is the capacity to elicit submission across immense distances.
    — NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The success elicited loud cheers in mission control, which viewers saw and heard on JAXA's launch webcast.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of elicit
Verb
  • Faculty are chosen based on their track record of educating Black students.
    — Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
  • He was educated at Middlebury College, and lived in New York City for 15 years, before settling back on the farm with his wife, Olga, and their children, Fiona and Abraham.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of educate
Verb
  • The name of the magazine was the brainchild of Eunice, who was inspired by the strong, solid, African wood that evoked the heritage of the magazine’s audience.
    — Aaron Wright, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The banter, which evokes some of the elbow-nudging comedy of Culture Clash, seems to excite Alfaro more than his plot, which languishes until the play’s final stretch.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of evoke

Browse Nearby Words

inspirations
inspire
inspired
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Cite this Entry

“Inspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspire. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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