English Dictionary

Definition of “inspire”

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inspire (ɪnˈspaɪə)

Definitions

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
(tr) archaic
1. to breathe into or upon
2. to breathe life into

Alternative Forms

inˈspirable adjective inˈspirative adjective inˈspirer noun inˈspiringly adverb

Word Origin

C14 (in the sense: to breathe upon, blow into): from Latin inspīrāre, from spīrāre to breathe

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry

= motivate, move, cause, stimulate, encourage, influence, persuade, spur, be responsible for animate, rouse, instil, infuse, hearten, enliven, imbue, spark off, energize, galvanize, gee up, inspirit, fire or touch the imagination of

= give rise to, cause, produce, result in, prompt, stir, spawn, engender,

= arouse, cause, produce, excite, prompt, induce, awaken, give rise to, ignite, kindle, enkindle,

Usage examples

Something in what he said seemed to inspire her, offer her some relief from her doubts.
Dobbs, Michael, Wall Games (1990)
Farting in public remains comedic gold, cartoons are way better than any reality show, and the word boobs can still inspire giggles.
Maxim (2004)
But Colin Cameron also scored twice, his second goal a penalty, to inspire Wolves to an astonishing revival and 4-3 victory.
Globe and Mail (2003)
Pure and simple, in seeking Temirkanov, we wanted someone who would inspire us from the podium.
Glasgow Herald (2001)
It is true that the opposite approach may also inspire fear.
De Jong, Nicholas (ed), Bedside Guardian 38 (1989)

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