inspiring 1 of 2

adjective

in-ˈspī-riŋ How to pronounce inspiring (audio)
Definition of inspiringnext
as in breathtaking
causing great emotional or mental stimulation an inspiring idea for a national program in which young people would commit themselves to a year of community service

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

inspiring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of inspire
1
as in encouraging
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 eliciting
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved) what inspired that comment?

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3
as in educating
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 inspiring
Adjective
Sliman was an inspiring part of a nucleus that established the Union of Palestinian Artists, a union that organizationally became part of the Union of Arab Artists. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 The Chargers looked sloppy in their 41-17 home loss to the San Francisco 49ers last week, following an inspiring 27-7 road win over the Houston Texans, and now aim for a better on-field product in their final tuneup. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
Carpe nowJoseph Moore How To Get Rich In American History is informative and inspiring in its optimism for how the everyday person can succeed economically. — Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 My fall wardrobe is typically devoid of color, aside from the occasional pop of red, but this look of Emma Stone’s is inspiring me to add more unexpected shades, starting with pale yellow. — Melony Forcier, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inspiring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspiring
  1. breathtaking
  2. encouraging
  3. eliciting
  4. educating
  5. exciting
  6. evoking
  7. interesting
  8. intriguing
Adjective
  • Nvidia's giveback Friday was certainly not because the company didn't report an amazing, if not breathtaking, quarter.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The experience goes far beyond the golf course; Palmares is known across the world for having one of the most breathtaking clubhouse environments in all of golf.
    — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of breathtaking
Verb
  • Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.
    — JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The scarcity itself became part of the appeal, encouraging moviegoers to attend early, return for later editions and share the collectibles online.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of encouraging
Verb
  • In the fifth inning, Soto fouled a ball off his right leg, eliciting a grimace from him and attention from both an athletic trainer and Green.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • As a result, the email is eliciting mixed reactions from customers.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of eliciting
Verb
  • Meilunaite found a similar path forward by educating herself on midlife health, shifting her sleep and giving her body more time to recover.
    — Tabitha Britt, Flow Space, 1 Sep. 2026
  • As one of the world’s leading manta ray research organizations, The Manta Trust is dedicated to educating and conserving habitats for these majestic creatures.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of educating
Adjective
  • That performance and a handful of others leads the way as the UFC wrapped up an exciting event from Shanghai.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • While a lot of the shorts are fully animated, the parts where this cartoon interacts with the real world were the most exciting then and are still a delight now.
    — James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of exciting
Verb
  • For a long time, the book’s iconic cover—a stark image evoking Trayvon Martin’s hoodie against a white backdrop—seemed to be on every other literate person’s nightstand.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The reception desk is accented by an angular brass piece evoking an airplane wing, and the Academy’s four class colors—blue, silver, red, and gold—show up in the carpeting and at the various entrances to the property.
    — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of evoking
Adjective
  • Coach John Harbaugh made the interesting decision Friday night to sit Dart and a number of other starters for a second straight preseason game.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Cartoonists on Dolly Parton's life and legacy Join 350,000+ subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of interesting
Adjective
  • Although not quite as polished on the racial politics front, Lanterns’s third episode is no less intriguing, as an hour of television dedicated not only to answering pressing questions but fleshing out its lead character in disturbing ways.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Belton is an intriguing player, but Cisco should also see action in certain packages.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of intriguing

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inspires
inspiring
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Cite this Entry

“Inspiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspiring. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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