View synonyms for inspire

inspire

[ in-spahyuhr ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

, in·spired, in·spir·ing.

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 by into ).
2. to breathe into or upon.

verb (used without object)

, in·spired, in·spir·ing.

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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Derived Forms

inˈspirative, adjective
inˈspirable, adjective
inˈspiringly, adverb
inˈspirer, noun

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Other Words From

in·spir·a·tive [in-, spahyuhr, -, uh, -tiv, in, -spi-rey-tiv], adjective
in·spirer noun
in·spiring·ly adverb
prein·spire verb (used with object) preinspired preinspiring
pseudo·in·spiring adjective
rein·spire verb reinspired reinspiring
unin·spiring adjective
unin·spiring·ly adverb

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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

There is, however, a separate wing of AQAP designed to inspire their followers to conduct attacks against the West.

From The Daily Beast

But these were technical solutions and unlikely to inspire protests alone.

From The Daily Beast

The 2014 election was a wipeout, progressives say, because Democrats lacked a bold economic message to inspire voters.

From The Daily Beast

Miraculously, Malala survived, and her courage, wisdom, and optimism have continued to transfix and inspire the world.

From The Daily Beast

I would like to inspire some people from Africa, and my country, to try and work hard and be a supermodel.

From The Daily Beast

Unfortunately Massna's record was not such as to inspire confidence in the purity of his intentions.

From Project Gutenberg

To attempt to cut out Mrs. Kaye I should need a little genuine enthusiasm; and frankly, your beloved prodigy does not inspire it.

From Project Gutenberg

I must also add, that the appearance and behaviour of the Chinese did not inspire me with the slightest apprehension.

From Project Gutenberg

Nor hast thou ever known, Aspasia,Or couldst thou comprehend the thoughts that onceThou didst inspire in me.

From Project Gutenberg

Their fatal ignorance of our sacred mysteries can only inspire us with tender compassion for our wandering brethren.

From Project Gutenberg

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