inspire
verb (used with object)
to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence.
was inspiring
-
past progressiveof inspire.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Ayla Herrero, a 26-year-old anthropologist helping at the camp's infirmary, said it was "inspiring for us to know that we're inspiring other people, that it doesn't just stay here".
From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026
His passion for fostering the community was inspiring and sticks with me.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026
Television in the 1970s was inspiring to watch, but being on TV didn’t seem feasible.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked lost to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
From BBC ● Dec. 3, 2025
This was inspiring, but dangerous: the police took the names and addresses of all the spectators in the galleries, and photographed them as they left the court.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
