inspire
Americanverb (used with object)
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inspires,
present (3rd person singular)
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inspired,
past participle, past
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inspiring
present participle
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to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence.
His courage inspired his followers.
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to produce or arouse (a feeling, thought, etc.).
to inspire confidence in others.
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to fill or affect with a specified feeling, thought, etc..
to inspire a person with distrust.
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to influence or impel.
Competition inspired her to greater efforts.
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to animate, as an influence, feeling, thought, or the like, does.
They were inspired by a belief in a better future.
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to communicate or suggest by a divine or supernatural influence.
writings inspired by God.
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to guide or control by divine influence.
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to prompt or instigate (utterances, acts, etc.) by influence, without avowal of responsibility.
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to give rise to, bring about, cause, etc..
a philosophy that inspired a revolution.
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to take (air, gases, etc.) into the lungs in breathing; inhale.
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Archaic.
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to infuse (breath, life, etc.) by breathing (usually followed byinto ).
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to breathe into or upon.
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verb (used without object)
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inspires,
present (3rd person singular)
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inspired,
past participle, past
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inspiring
present participle
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to give inspiration.
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to inhale.
verb
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to exert a stimulating or beneficial effect upon (a person); animate or invigorate
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(tr; foll by with or to; may take an infinitive) to arouse (with a particular emotion or to a particular action); stir
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(tr) to prompt or instigate; give rise to
her beauty inspired his love
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(tr; often passive) to guide or arouse by divine influence or inspiration
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to take or draw (air, gas, etc) into the lungs; inhale
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archaic (tr)
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to breathe into or upon
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to breathe life into
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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inspirernoun
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reinspireverb
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preinspireverb (used with object)
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inspirableadjective
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inspirativeadjective
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pseudoinspiringadjective
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uninspiringadjective
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inspiringlyadverb
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uninspiringlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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inspiresimple
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inspiressimple
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have inspiredperfect
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has inspiredperfect
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am inspiringprogressive
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are inspiringprogressive
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is inspiringprogressive
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have been inspiringperfect progressive
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has been inspiringperfect progressive
Past
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inspiredsimple
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had inspiredperfect
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was inspiringprogressive
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were inspiringprogressive
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had been inspiringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of inspire
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English inspiren, from Latin inspīrāre “to breathe upon, breathe into,” equivalent to in- in- 2 ( def. ) + spīrāre “to breathe”
Explanation
The Olympics often inspire people to take up a sport, but they can also inspire patriotism. Inspire means to excite, encourage, or breathe life into. Inspire comes from the Latin word that means to inflame or to blow in to. When you inspire something, it is as if you are blowing air over a low flame to make it grow. A film can be inspired by a true story. Studying for your test will inspire confidence in you. Successful people often have a role model who inspired them to greatness. Who inspires you?
Vocabulary lists containing inspire
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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.
See Examples For:
Wang said that investigating a wider range of organisms may inspire new approaches to some of medicine's most challenging problems.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 5, 2026
"So to have that other person, whether it be an unofficial mentor or a peer inspire you and encourage you and motivate you is really, really important."
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
But the broad tech stock rebound Microsoft helped inspire seems to have legs based on stock futures.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
The book focused on Keaton’s newfound love of the photo-sharing site and how it helped to inspire her creativity when it came to the interior design of the dwelling.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
"This is the solarium courtyard to inspire your arcana. I encourage all favorites to walk in it daily. Very therapeutic."
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
Empathy, on stage, becomes a cornerstone of experiencing live performance that pulls heartstrings, inspires raucous laughter or elicits a collective groan when a poorly-hatched plan falters.
From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2026
To me personally, Salah inspires strength, patience and belief.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
Indeed, it is this that inspires most of the questions present-day visitors put to the Capitol guides.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026
He inspires his brother and others that the world can change and takes inspiration from his mother, who encourages him to continue his path and do it as God’s servant.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026
Unseasonably pleasant weather inspires people to pay at a higher rate.
From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt
“From the Double Cross Ranch to the @WWE Hall of Fame, Dory’s style inspired countless performers in our industry” Triple H wrote.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
For one thing, the album’s 14 tracks are a tour de force, a masterpiece of inspired songwriting and musicianship.
From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026
The exercises include mobilizing 20,000 reserve troops, slowing mobile internet, and testing drone tactics inspired by Ukraine and Iran.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
The group ended the letter saying they hope it inspired Aberaeron to "turn over a new leaf and let mackerel swim free".
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
The costume had been for Di Shturem: The Yiddish Tempest, when Molly had played the villain, the vengeful sheyd, Chenya, her frankly inspired take on Shakespeare’s Caliban.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
"What we see on the Earth is inspiring what we want to do in our space science research," she added.
From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026
"The history of their courage, dedication, and contributions will always remain inspiring," the prime minister added.
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026
Instead, might we suggest an inspiring essay on democracy, or a fun quiz, or a movie recommendation, or even a series of fun pieces on revenge?
From Slate ● Jul. 29, 2026
Truly creative and inspiring art undermines that goal, because it provokes responses like empathy and critical thinking in audiences — which gets in the way of authoritarian domination.
From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026
I guess I can see how I could be pretty inspiring.
From "Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun" by Hena Khan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
