inspire
verb
Wisdom of Solomon 15:11
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More on the Meaning of Inspire
When inspire first came into use in the 14th century it had a meaning it still carries in English today: “to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural influence or action.” It’s this use that we see in phrases like “scripture inspired by God,” where the idea is that God shaped the scripture in an active and explicit way.
The meaning is a metaphorical extension of the word's Latin root: inspirare means "to breathe or blow into." The metaphor is a powerful one, with the very breath of a divine or supernatural force asserted as being at work.
The metaphor developed further, with inspire gaining similar but somewhat weaker meanings. Someone who is inspired by a particular artist, for example, is influenced by that artist in a way that animates or intensifies their own work. Something that inspires people to action motivates them. And if we say that something has inspired an emotion, thought, or idea, we are saying that it somehow had a part in its coming to be.
The word inspire has also drawn on the meaning of its literal root over the years, with meanings like "inhale," "to breathe or blow into or upon," and "to infuse (something, such as life) by breathing," but these meanings are not commonly encountered in modern use.
Synonyms
Examples of inspire in a Sentence
Prime Development Land Company, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2024
Art Deco and dignity inspire multi-hyphenate comedian Katie Cazorla’s new club, the Kookaburra Lounge.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2024
These criminally charismatic actors inspired generations of men, their sartorial savvy etched into our minds via the big screen and heavy rotation on cable and Tumblr.
—David Coggins, Robb Report, 27 Apr. 2024
In addition to being each other’s biggest cheerleaders, Ripa and Consuelos inspire a profound and mutual sense of self-acceptance, encouraging one another to embrace their individuality fully and unapologetically.
—Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2024
The community the women gained from classes has also inspired them to give back to other women who might be having a hard time.
—Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2024
Best baguette Awarded by a panel of judges who blind taste test a pile of baguettes from the city’s best bakeries, the contest inspires fierce competition, innovation, and experimentation.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 27 Apr. 2024
The author’s 2015 biographical essay would then inspire a theatrical adaptation directed by Stéphane Foenkinos, and then, after moving from page to stage, where else was there to go but the digital future?
—Ben Croll, Variety, 27 Apr. 2024
Even for those enticed by the prospect of a new audience and a boost to revenue, the rapid rise of video has inspired some wariness.
—Reggie Ugwu, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inspire.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Inspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inspire. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
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