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Synonyms

inspire

American

[in-spahyuhr] / ɪnˈspaɪər /

verb (used with object)

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.
1. to infuse (breath, life, etc.) by breathing (usually followed byinto ).
2. to breathe into or upon.

verb (used without object)

to give inspiration.
to inhale.

inspire British

/ 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 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
archaic (tr)
1. to breathe into or upon
2. to breathe life into

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of inspire

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”

Explanation

The Olympics often inspire people to take up a sport, but they can also inspire patriotism. Inspire means to excite, encourage, or breathe life into. Inspire comes from the Latin word that means to inflame or to blow in to. When you inspire something, it is as if you are blowing air over a low flame to make it grow. A film can be inspired by a true story. Studying for your test will inspire confidence in you. Successful people often have a role model who inspired them to greatness. Who inspires you?

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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.

I think naturally those were already gonna inspire me.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026

Wilson, who was the biographer for A. Philip Randolph, the iconic civil rights and labor leader, said the Ohio FBI raids “were an act of desperation that will backfire and only inspire greater voter turnout.”

From Salon • Jun. 16, 2026

For all his success off the pitch, however, Vinicius has yet to inspire the same emotional connection Neymar still has with the country's football-loving public.

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026

For a different appeals court, that record might inspire some humility.

From Slate • Jun. 12, 2026

Turf scribe Jack McDonald surveyed the production and wondered if the net effect would be to inspire Ligaroti or scare him to death.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

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