inspire

[in-spahyuhr] / ɪnˈspaɪər /

VERB

encourage, stimulate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

affect animate arouse cause embolden excite galvanize get hearten impress influence instill motivate produce provoke spark spur stir sway touch trigger

STRONG

carry commove elate endue enkindle enliven exalt exhilarate imbue infect inflame inform infuse inspirit invigorate occasion quicken reassure strike urge

WEAK

be responsible for fire up give impetus give one an idea give rise to set up start off work up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bore calm deaden depress discourage dissuade halt leave alone lull please quiet stop

STRONG

dishearten dull enervate lose

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I Swear” is a didactic starting point, and it may even inspire overcorrection when it comes to educating others, but its heart is in the right place.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

Though the more famous Lord Cochrane would inspire O’Brian’s Jack Aubrey, Miller was cut from the cloth of Bernard Cornwell’s fictional Richard Sharpe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

He has helped inspire players like Brandon Thomas-Asante, who could have left for Blackburn and Derby last year, to double his goalscoring tally from last season.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

And while there is no active draft now, perhaps the transition to automatic registration will inspire some young person to bring the legal challenge that this moment begs.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

I’m glad I can at least inspire the idea of hope.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Vocabulary lists containing inspire

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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Christmas Carol Vocab: A Lyrical Lexicon

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Michelle Obama's final address as First Lady (2017)

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