inspire

verb

in·​spire in-ˈspī(-ə)r How to pronounce inspire (audio)
inspired; inspiring

transitive verb

1
a
: to spur on : impel, motivate
threats don't necessarily inspire people to work
b
: to exert an animating, enlivening, or exalting influence on
was particularly inspired by the Romanticists
c
: affect
seeing the old room again inspired him with nostalgia
d
: to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural inspiration
2
a
: bring about, occasion
the book was inspired by his travels in the Far East
b
: incite
3
a
: to draw forth or bring out
thoughts inspired by a visit to the cathedral
b
: to communicate to an agent supernaturally
4
5
: to spread (rumor) by indirect means or through the agency of another
6
a
archaic : to breathe or blow into or upon
b
archaic : to infuse (something, such as life) by breathing
inspired into him an active soul …Wisdom of Solomon 15:11
inspirer noun

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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.

Examples of inspire in a Sentence

He inspired generations of future scientists. Her courage has inspired us. His discoveries inspired a whole new line of scientific research. Her first novel was inspired by her early childhood. The news inspired hope that the war might end soon.
Recent Examples on the Web Often, your excellent questions inspire us to write full-length articles. Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024 But content surrounding Wren has inspired a level of attention and criticism that feels unprecedented. Zara Hanawalt, Parents, 23 Mar. 2024 One wooden set of its children’s furniture is inspired by the acts of drawing lines, cutting the lines to make shapes, and assembling the shapes into 3-D models. Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2024 The current roster assembled by the two-time World Cup-champion coach and her staff inspired much of her confidence that fans will once again fill more than half of the Mission Valley stadium, on average. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024 According to the liner notes for Music Bank, however, the lyrics were inspired by the band’s guitarist and drummer actually coming to blows. Spin Contributor, SPIN, 22 Mar. 2024 In the 21st century, the dramatic changes of the modern world in such a traditional society have inspired a revival of shamanism. Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Mar. 2024 The film later inspired a Broadway musical adaptation. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024 The director wore the newest edition of the iconic chronograph, updated to feature a lacquered white dial inspired by space exploration and the collection’s own famous heritage. Anna Tingley, Variety, 11 Mar. 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.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French inspirer, from Latin inspirare, from in- + spirare to breathe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1d

Time Traveler
The first known use of inspire was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near inspire

Cite this Entry

“Inspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inspire. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inspire

verb
in·​spire in-ˈspī(ə)r How to pronounce inspire (audio)
inspired; inspiring
1
: to move or guide by divine influence
prophets inspired by God
2
a
: to stimulate to greater or higher activity : make spirited
inspired by his parents
b
: to cause to have a particular thought or feeling
the old house inspired her with longing for the past
c
: to cause a feeling of : arouse
inspires confidence in her followers
3
: inhale
4
: bring about
studies that inspired several inventions
inspirer noun

Medical Definition

inspire

verb
in·​spire in-ˈspī(ə)r How to pronounce inspire (audio)
inspired; inspiring

transitive verb

: to draw in by breathing : breathe in : inhale
the volume of air inspired

intransitive verb

: to draw in breath : inhale air into the lungs

More from Merriam-Webster on inspire

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