inspires

verb

present tense third-person singular of inspire
1
as in encourages
to fill with courage or strength of purpose the rousing campaign speech inspired everyone to get out the vote

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2
as in elicits
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved) what inspired that comment?

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3
as in educates
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding great works of visual art can inspire us in ways that the written word often cannot

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inspires Music from kids’ movies often inspires connection, creativity, and even dance parties at home. — Stephanie Ganz Published, Parents, 18 Oct. 2026 Choose from one of three sleek colorways and let these headphones become the accessory that inspires the outfit. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 One whale metaphor that lands quite nicely is how the sperm whale calls out for help when in distress, which inspires a Hail Mary plan in Jay’s fight for freedom from the belly of the beast. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 Passion inspires the mission, but strategy and accountability help sustain it. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Hanuman inspires him to avenge the rape of his mother by a corrupt policeman working for a deceitful Hindu nationalist spiritual leader. — Sohini Sarah Pillai, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 Organizers hope the effort inspires more businesses to partner with local schools, demonstrating how community investment can create lasting benefits for students, teachers and families. — Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 There is a near-identical robot to be found at Jalsa, an Indian restaurant in my Brooklyn neighborhood, where its presence inspires the same frisson of novelty as a hands-off steering wheel. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 This inspires Other Mommy to gruesomely kill Frank in front of Bela, including blowing his head up in an outrageous explosion of blood. — William Earl, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspires
  1. encourages
  2. elicits
  3. educates
  4. evokes
Verb
  • Applied to a solo outing, that approach encourages diners to appreciate the meal in front of them instead of scrolling through their phones.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Jordan says a recent guideline change encourages doctors to diagnose and treat sooner based on symptoms.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of encourages
Verb
  • The question of whether people from the current system should help lead the transition elicits strong emotions among Cuban exiles.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Continue reading … ‘MIND-BLOWING HYPOCRISY’ — Mass UN walkout elicits fiery response from Netanyahu in New York speech.
    — , FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of elicits
Verb
  • The organization educates veterans about underutilized resources and opportunities.
    — Monique John, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Eton College, located in the English county of Berkshire a stone’s throw from Windsor Castle, educates boys aged 13 to 18 and accepts around 270 students per academic year.
    — Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of educates
Verb
  • The title that evokes Ernest Hemingway points at the polemical nature of some of the essays in the book.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Aligned along a single axis, these apertures create a perspective that evokes the assembly-line logic of the automotive industry.
    — Sarah Belmont for ArtNews, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of evokes

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Cite this Entry

“Inspires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspires. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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