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Synonyms

inspiration

American  
[in-spuh-rey-shuhn] / ˌɪn spəˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. an inspiring or animating action or influence.

    I cannot write poetry without inspiration.

    Synonyms:
    incitement, stimulus
  2. something inspired, as an idea.

  3. a result of inspired activity.

  4. a thing or person that inspires.

  5. Theology.

    1. a divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul.

    2. the divine quality of the writings or words of a person so influenced.

  6. the drawing of air into the lungs; inhalation.

  7. the act of inspiring; quality or state of being inspired.


inspiration British  
/ ˌɪnspɪˈreɪʃən /

noun

  1. stimulation or arousal of the mind, feelings, etc, to special or unusual activity or creativity

  2. the state or quality of being so stimulated or aroused

  3. someone or something that causes this state

  4. an idea or action resulting from such a state

  5. the act or process of inhaling; breathing in

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

inspiration Scientific  
/ ĭn′spə-rāshən /

Other Word Forms

  • reinspiration noun

Etymology

Origin of inspiration

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English inspiracio(u)n, from Late Latin inspīrātiōn-, stem of inspīrātiō literally “a breathing in,” from inspīrāt(us) “breathed in” (past participle of inspīrāre; inspire ) + -iō -ion

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.

Every culture also finds inspiration in its own way.

From Los Angeles Times

“We had to make it simple and give her inspiration, and go back and forth and make it easy to understand,” Treichel said.

From MarketWatch

Kemp recalls sending a lengthy email about the book cover inspiration.

From Los Angeles Times

The findings suggest that AI can also function as a creative collaborator that encourages exploration, engagement, and inspiration.

From Science Daily

Moore said he later realised that more inspiration might also have come from years of reading stories about "kings and queens and princesses" to his daughter Mary.

From BBC