inspires

verb

present tense third-person singular of inspire
1
as in encourages
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 elicits
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved) what inspired that comment?

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3
as in educates
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 inspires The memories of their cozy kitchen inspires me to spend even more time in my own kitchen. — Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2026 Like the Lego brand, Daft Punk inspires generations through creativity, innovation, and a deep connection with fans. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026 Looking out into the crowd, the audience’s appearance inspires two revelations. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026 This initiative inspires preuniversity students to pursue technology and engineering careers. — IEEE Spectrum, 19 Oct. 2026 Music from kids’ movies often inspires connection, creativity, and even dance parties at home. — Stephanie Ganz Published, Parents, 18 Oct. 2026 Choose from one of three sleek colorways and let these headphones become the accessory that inspires the outfit. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 One whale metaphor that lands quite nicely is how the sperm whale calls out for help when in distress, which inspires a Hail Mary plan in Jay’s fight for freedom from the belly of the beast. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 Passion inspires the mission, but strategy and accountability help sustain it. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspires
  1. encourages
  2. elicits
  3. educates
  4. evokes
Verb
  • Meta encourages its users to name their AIs—and encourages its AIs to think like humans.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Scott-Chandler says assistance will be available for those who qualify and encourages families not to hesitate to seek help.
    — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of encourages
Verb
  • Much of Modi’s comedy centers on differences between various kinds of Jews, a friction that elicits knowing laughters from his (largely, but not wholly) Jewish audience.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The question of whether people from the current system should help lead the transition elicits strong emotions among Cuban exiles.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of elicits
Verb
  • Not long after, the school system, which educates more than 150,000 students, changed its admissions practices to eliminate an extra in-person exam.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The organization educates veterans about underutilized resources and opportunities.
    — Monique John, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of educates
Verb
  • The results are most effective when the lyrics are tight and embody the colorful feelings that Greene’s music often evokes.
    — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In Italian, malinconia evokes a softer, more nostalgic feeling than pure sadness, an appropriate descriptor as the room evokes the good days of the analogue era.
    — Jaclyn DeGiorgio, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of evokes

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Cite this Entry

“Inspires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspires. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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