Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for inspiration. Search instead for inspire millions.
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-rā′shən /

  1. See inhalation

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.

To take just one example, Australia - led by a Labour government from which this government often takes inspiration - has halved its fuel taxes.

From BBC

So on his new record, “Octane,” the Houston rapper recenters his car obsession and turns to his need for speed as sonic inspiration.

From Los Angeles Times

The Syrian Revolution inspired Zaalan to become a clown after losing friends, acquaintances and inspirations who were truth tellers and artists.

From Los Angeles Times

Also in the rattlesnake win column, their venom has been a major source of inspiration for medical treatments, Taylor said.

From Los Angeles Times

They take inspiration from the characters in their daily lives and refuse to watch any other TV shows.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.