inspire

[ in-spahyuhr ]

/ ɪnˈspaɪər /

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See synonyms for: inspire / inspired / inspires / inspiring on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), in·spired, in·spir·ing.

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.

verb (used without object), in·spired, in·spir·ing.

to give inspiration.

to inhale.

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Origin of inspire

1300–50; Middle English inspiren<Latin inspīrāre to breathe upon or into, equivalent to in-in-² + spīrāre to breathe

OTHER WORDS FROM inspire

in·spir·a·tive

[in-spahyuhr-uh-tiv, in-spi-rey-tiv], /ɪnˈspaɪər ə tɪv, ˈɪn spɪˌreɪ tɪv/, adjectivein·spir·er, nounin·spir·ing·ly, adverbpre·in·spire, verb (used with object), pre·in·spired, pre·in·spir·ing.

pseu·do·in·spir·ing, adjectivere·in·spire, verb, re·in·spired, re·in·spir·ing.un·in·spir·ing, adjectiveun·in·spir·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby inspire

inspirator, inspiratory, inspiratory capacity, inspiratory reserve volume, inspiratory stridor, inspire, inspired, inspired gas, inspirit, inspissate, in spite of

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

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.com
Queen 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 Post
The 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|TechCrunch
Sipped 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 Post

The 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|DAILY BEAST
But 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|DAILY BEAST
The 2014 election was a wipeout, progressives say, because Democrats lacked a bold economic message to inspire voters.
Progressives: Big Ideas Will Win Us 2016|David Freedlander|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
I 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|DAILY BEAST
Unfortunately Massna's record was not such as to inspire confidence in the purity of his intentions.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
To attempt to cut out Mrs. Kaye I should need a little genuine enthusiasm; and frankly, your beloved prodigy does not inspire it.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
I 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 Pfeiffer
Nor hast thou ever known, Aspasia,Or couldst thou comprehend the thoughts that onceThou didst inspire in me.
The Poems of Giacomo Leopardi|Giacomo Leopardi
Their 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

inspire

/ (ɪnˈspaɪə) /

verb

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 toher 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

Derived forms of inspire

inspirable, adjectiveinspirative, adjectiveinspirer, nouninspiringly, adverb

Word Origin for inspire

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

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

Medical definitions for inspire

inspire

[ ĭn-spīr′ ]

To draw in breath; to inhale.

inspire

Origin of inspire

OTHER WORDS FROM inspire

Words nearby inspire

Words related to inspire

How to use inspire in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for inspire

Derived forms of inspire

Word Origin for inspire

Medical definitions for inspire