inspire
to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence: His courage inspired his followers.
to produce or arouse (a feeling, thought, etc.): to inspire confidence in others.
to fill or affect with a specified feeling, thought, etc.: to inspire a person with distrust.
to influence or impel: Competition inspired her to greater efforts.
to animate, as an influence, feeling, thought, or the like, does: They were inspired by a belief in a better future.
to communicate or suggest by a divine or supernatural influence: writings inspired by God.
to guide or control by divine influence.
to prompt or instigate (utterances, acts, etc.) by influence, without avowal of responsibility.
to give rise to, bring about, cause, etc.: a philosophy that inspired a revolution.
to take (air, gases, etc.) into the lungs in breathing; inhale.
Archaic.
to infuse (breath, life, etc.) by breathing (usually followed by into).
to breathe into or upon.
Origin of inspire
1Other words from inspire
- in·spir·a·tive [in-spahyuhr-uh-tiv, in-spi-rey-tiv], /ɪnˈspaɪər ə tɪv, ˈɪn spɪˌreɪ tɪv/, adjective
- in·spir·er, noun
- in·spir·ing·ly, adverb
- pre·in·spire, verb (used with object), pre·in·spired, pre·in·spir·ing.
- pseu·do·in·spir·ing, adjective
- re·in·spire, verb, re·in·spired, re·in·spir·ing.
- un·in·spir·ing, adjective
- un·in·spir·ing·ly, adverb
Words Nearby inspire
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use inspire in a sentence
Find fun, V-day inspired baking recipe ideas here, for beginners and gurus, and remember baked goods are the perfect “I love you” gift for mentors, friends, family and beyond.
How You’re Making Valentine’s Day Weekend Special At Home | Charli Penn | February 12, 2021 | Essence.comQueen Latifah is the star of this new CBS show, a reboot of the 1980s crime drama that inspired a film franchise starring Denzel Washington.
11 TV shows and films you can stream for free this month | Bethonie Butler | February 12, 2021 | Washington PostThe Dallas-area founder was inspired to tackle the student loan debt crisis after talking with his daughter about the prospect of eventually paying down her own loan debt.
A Dallas-based founder looks to tackle the student loan crisis with his startup, College Cash | Lucas Matney | February 11, 2021 | TechCrunchSipped over ice — or simply breathed straight from the jar in the middle of the day — my Cyprus-inspired amaro gives me a shiver of instant recognition.
Aromas can evoke beloved journeys — or voyages not yet taken | Jen Rose Smith | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostThe result is a colorful, chili-inspired stuffed potato that is a nourishing meal in itself, and one you can count me in for anytime.
Chili-tinged sweet potatoes are loaded in all the right ways - flavor, nutrition and satisfaction | Ellie Krieger | February 11, 2021 | Washington Post
There is, however, a separate wing of AQAP designed to inspire their followers to conduct attacks against the West.
U.S. Spies See Al Qaeda Fingerprints on Paris Massacre | Shane Harris, Nancy A. Youssef | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTBut these were technical solutions and unlikely to inspire protests alone.
Sharpton Recalls Civil Rights Struggle in DC March Against Police Violence | Ben Jacobs | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe 2014 election was a wipeout, progressives say, because Democrats lacked a bold economic message to inspire voters.
Miraculously, Malala survived, and her courage, wisdom, and optimism have continued to transfix and inspire the world.
Promoting Girls’ Education Isn’t Enough: Malala Can Do More | Paula Kweskin | December 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI would like to inspire some people from Africa, and my country, to try and work hard and be a supermodel.
I Got Kicked Out Of The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show | Nico Hines | December 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTUnfortunately Massna's record was not such as to inspire confidence in the purity of his intentions.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-PattisonTo attempt to cut out Mrs. Kaye I should need a little genuine enthusiasm; and frankly, your beloved prodigy does not inspire it.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonI must also add, that the appearance and behaviour of the Chinese did not inspire me with the slightest apprehension.
A Woman's Journey Round the World | Ida PfeifferNor hast thou ever known, Aspasia,Or couldst thou comprehend the thoughts that onceThou didst inspire in me.
The Poems of Giacomo Leopardi | Giacomo LeopardiTheir fatal ignorance of our sacred mysteries can only inspire us with tender compassion for our wandering brethren.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10) | Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
British Dictionary definitions for inspire
/ (ɪnˈspaɪə) /
to exert a stimulating or beneficial effect upon (a person); animate or invigorate
(tr; foll by with or to; may take an infinitive) to arouse (with a particular emotion or to a particular action); stir
(tr) to prompt or instigate; give rise to: her beauty inspired his love
(tr; often passive) to guide or arouse by divine influence or inspiration
to take or draw (air, gas, etc) into the lungs; inhale
(tr) archaic
to breathe into or upon
to breathe life into
Origin of inspire
1Derived forms of inspire
- inspirable, adjective
- inspirative, adjective
- inspirer, noun
- inspiringly, adverb
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
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