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

How could something that looks so good and feels genuinely inspiring just by being in its proximity be deceiving?

From Salon

Having read about the protests on social media and inspired by a friend, Ms Belhassan decided to join on Monday.

From BBC

In addition to prosecutors detailing Combs' abuse, the court heard from several of Combs' children, some openly sobbing; defence attorneys who called him inspiring; and finally, an apologetic Combs himself.

From BBC

The inflatable sculpture was inspired by a painting Shilling made of a similarly cute little bear, which is also on view.

From Los Angeles Times

We never really talked about it a lot, but I’ve been inspired by Stanley for so many things.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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