inspire
Americanverb (used with object)
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inspires,
present (3rd person singular)
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inspired,
past participle, past
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inspiring
present participle
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to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence.
His courage inspired his followers.
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to produce or arouse (a feeling, thought, etc.).
to inspire confidence in others.
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to fill or affect with a specified feeling, thought, etc..
to inspire a person with distrust.
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to influence or impel.
Competition inspired her to greater efforts.
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to animate, as an influence, feeling, thought, or the like, does.
They were inspired by a belief in a better future.
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to communicate or suggest by a divine or supernatural influence.
writings inspired by God.
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to guide or control by divine influence.
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to prompt or instigate (utterances, acts, etc.) by influence, without avowal of responsibility.
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to give rise to, bring about, cause, etc..
a philosophy that inspired a revolution.
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to take (air, gases, etc.) into the lungs in breathing; inhale.
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Archaic.
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to infuse (breath, life, etc.) by breathing (usually followed byinto ).
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to breathe into or upon.
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verb (used without object)
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inspires,
present (3rd person singular)
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inspired,
past participle, past
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inspiring
present participle
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to give inspiration.
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to inhale.
verb
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to exert a stimulating or beneficial effect upon (a person); animate or invigorate
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(tr; foll by with or to; may take an infinitive) to arouse (with a particular emotion or to a particular action); stir
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(tr) to prompt or instigate; give rise to
her beauty inspired his love
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(tr; often passive) to guide or arouse by divine influence or inspiration
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to take or draw (air, gas, etc) into the lungs; inhale
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archaic (tr)
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to breathe into or upon
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to breathe life into
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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inspirernoun
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reinspireverb
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preinspireverb (used with object)
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inspirableadjective
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inspirativeadjective
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pseudoinspiringadjective
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uninspiringadjective
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inspiringlyadverb
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uninspiringlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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inspiresimple
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inspiressimple
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have inspiredperfect
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has inspiredperfect
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am inspiringprogressive
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are inspiringprogressive
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is inspiringprogressive
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have been inspiringperfect progressive
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has been inspiringperfect progressive
Past
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inspiredsimple
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had inspiredperfect
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was inspiringprogressive
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were inspiringprogressive
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had been inspiringperfect progressive
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?
Vocabulary lists containing inspire
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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:
He spent his own childhood in a house in Surrey filled with rescue animals and said it helped inspire the passion for wildlife that later shaped his career.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
The Patriots have serious problems, and coach Mike Vrabel’s news conference this week didn’t inspire confidence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
He announced the launch of “Smithsonian Cares,” a digital resource that would “provide tools and guidance to empower and inspire conversations about diversity, equity, access and inclusion.”
From Salon ● Sep. 25, 2026
We share a similar responsibility to employ emerging technologies to inspire hearts and minds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026
“You. Your own character. The kind of person you choose to be—and that you inspire others to be.”
From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood
I also suspect that, to whatever extent Bill Pay actually inspires more Bill Pay usage, they’re correct about that.
From Slate ● Oct. 1, 2026
The agreement inspires "very little confidence" as recent incidents of AI going rogue suggest companies have been undisciplined in their approach, she added.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
That this inspires the film’s title suggests director Lance Oppenheim’s primary angle on the story—one focused on ratings-chasing TV production—but that focus never leads him anywhere deeper.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026
Taking your peers into battle every week requires leadership that inspires respect and admiration.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026
I bow so she won't see the smile that her statement inspires.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
Shoppers also are showing interest in products inspired by Levi’s archives, said Jana Henning, chief merchandising officer for the company’s women’s business.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026
If a solar panel uses the energy of the sun to power a building, an intentionally run theater can use the energy of its inspired audiences to power a city.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026
The “slop bowl” became internet shorthand for the familiar fast-casual mash-up — grains, greens, globally inspired protein, sauce, perhaps an avocado surcharge — assembled with the logic of a cafeteria line and an over-$10 price.
From Salon ● Oct. 3, 2026
The club added that Close's story has "inspired generations of young people at Ledley Hall and will continue to do so".
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
“We are inspired by your success!” one girl enthused.
From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood
He said that while the "technological progress" from AI was "inspiring", the "threat it poses according to its own inventors is daunting".
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
"I'm excited to keep uplifting my friends and cheering them on as they reach for the Moon. Together, we'll keep pushing boundaries and inspiring the next giant leap."
From Science Daily ● Sep. 26, 2026
Its mission, said former assistant secretary of the Smithsonian Remington Kellogg that year, was to “awaken” a “clear understanding of the inspiring story of the United States — its origins, struggles, development, traditions, strength.”
From Salon ● Sep. 25, 2026
His passion for fostering the community was inspiring and sticks with me.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026
One needed a handle, a lever, a means of inspiring fear.
From "The Fire Next Time" by James Baldwin
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.
