inspire

[in-spahyuhr]

verb (used with object)

inspired, inspiring 

1. to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence.

   His courage inspired his followers.

2. to produce or arouse (a feeling, thought, etc.).

   to inspire confidence in others.

3. to fill or affect with a specified feeling, thought, etc..

   to inspire a person with distrust.

4. to influence or impel.

   Competition inspired her to greater efforts.

5. to animate, as an influence, feeling, thought, or the like, does.

   They were inspired by a belief in a better future.

6. to communicate or suggest by a divine or supernatural influence.

   writings inspired by God.

7. to guide or control by divine influence.

8. to prompt or instigate (utterances, acts, etc.) by influence, without avowal of responsibility.

9. to give rise to, bring about, cause, etc..

   a philosophy that inspired a revolution.

10. to take (air, gases, etc.) into the lungs in breathing; inhale.

11. Archaic.

    1. to infuse (breath, life, etc.) by breathing (usually followed byinto ).

    2. to breathe into or upon.

verb (used without object)

inspired, inspiring 

1. to give inspiration.

2. to inhale.

inspire

/ ɪnˈspaɪə /

verb

1. to exert a stimulating or beneficial effect upon (a person); animate or invigorate

2. (tr; foll by with or to; may take an infinitive) to arouse (with a particular emotion or to a particular action); stir

3. (tr) to prompt or instigate; give rise to

   her beauty inspired his love

4. (tr; often passive) to guide or arouse by divine influence or inspiration

5. to take or draw (air, gas, etc) into the lungs; inhale

6. archaic,  (tr)

   1. to breathe into or upon

   2. to breathe life into

Other Word Forms

• inspirative adjective
• inspirer noun
• inspiringly adverb
• preinspire verb (used with object)
• pseudoinspiring adjective
• reinspire verb
• uninspiring adjective
• uninspiringly adverb
• inspirable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inspire¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of inspire¹

C14 (in the sense: to breathe upon, blow into): from Latin inspīrāre, from spīrāre to breathe

Example Sentences

The company has been known as Pinkfong since 2022, a name inspired by a cheerful and curious fox that featured in one of its early cartoons.

Read more on BBC

In his work, unsettling synthesizer drones inspired by the Andrei Tarkovsky film “Stalker” might be found next to samples of fast-food advertisements from the ’80s, resulting in pieces whose theoretical bent is balanced by musicality.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Russia/England problem had been inspired by Penelope’s homesick mood, but she thought Boris and Constantin might take an interest, as the two boys argued daily over which twin was bigger.

Read more on Literature

“We are inspired by your success!” one girl enthused.

Read more on Literature

Cassiopeia was adding more lines to her Poe poem, while Beowulf helpfully drew page after page of spooky ravens to inspire her.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

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