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.

See Examples For:

inspire inspires inspired inspiring

There’s a world where A.I.-assisted short films could improve in quality and possibly inspire less-recognized creatives to realize their ambitions.

From Slate ● Aug. 16, 2026

“Young adults respond rationally to inflation and stagnant wages” doesn’t inspire quite the same existential panic as “Gen Z killed nightlife,” but it’s probably closer to the truth.

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026

“I think cats are like works of art that inspire you to be truer to yourself,” Meyer says.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

He believes Auqib's journey will inspire a new generation.

From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026

“He loses no opportunity to let me see that he despises me and I inspire aversion in him,” Theo tells Wil.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman

“She’s such a badass professional. It was so fun because she inspires me to also be more flexible and creative.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

Regardless of how he fares this week, Howard says his Open debut will be worthwhile if it inspires other people with cystic fibrosis to chase their dreams.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

To me personally, Salah inspires strength, patience and belief.

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026

But the road to the Elle Woods who graduates at the top of her law school class, storms Capitol Hill and inspires a Broadway musical has to start somewhere.

From Salon ● Jul. 6, 2026

In the maze of stalls in Union Square that sell candles and shawls and handmade jewelry, nothing inspires him.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

“Wherever in the world you’re spending your day, I hope you feel inspired and invigorated,” Laufey wrote in a note on her “A Very Laufey Day” website.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

But Maresca, despite clearly being inspired by his former mentor, has his own style and one which we have started to see emerge across City's pre-season.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

The two buildings were inspired by light, the environment, and a minimalist palette.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

It’s also somehow appropriate that AI-driven business pressures inspired this mascot, who has been described as “giving enterprise AI a more human face” even though he himself is partly AI-generated.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

That Hemingway guy was one of Nan’s favorites and inspired a few of our best Relocation Rules.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

They might be poseurs tossing around references to Ginsberg and Bukowski, but the welcome mat the group offers Ed is enticing and inspiring.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

“You are inspiring a dozen people for every person that criticizes you.”

From Salon ● Aug. 9, 2026

"What we see on the Earth is inspiring what we want to do in our space science research," she added.

From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026

Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah was among those who paid tribute, saying his "history of courage, dedication and contribution will always remain inspiring".

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026

Just describing that huge, brooding turtle lumbering from end to end was inspiring.

From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos

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