View synonyms for inspire

inspire

[in-spahyuhr]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

inspired, inspiring

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)

inspired, inspiring

to give inspiration.
to inhale.

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 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

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Other Word Forms

inspirative adjective
inspirer noun
inspiringly adverb
preinspire verb (used with object)
pseudoinspiring adjective
reinspire verb
uninspiring adjective
uninspiringly adverb
inspirable adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of inspire¹

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”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of inspire¹

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

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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.

Its teaching format is heavily inspired by El Sistema, the publicly funded program where he first learned music in Venezuela.

Related Words

inspiratory inspired

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