inspire

/ɪnˈspaɪr/

/ɪnˈspaɪə/

Other forms: inspired; inspiring; inspires

The Olympics often inspire people to take up a sport, but they can also inspire patriotism. Inspire means to excite, encourage, or breathe life into.

Inspire comes from the Latin word that means to inflame or to blow in to. When you inspire something, it is as if you are blowing air over a low flame to make it grow. A film can be inspired by a true story. Studying for your test will inspire confidence in you. Successful people often have a role model who inspired them to greatness. Who inspires you?

Definitions of inspire

1. verb

   serve as the inciting cause of
   synonyms: instigate, prompt

   type of:

   cause, get, have, induce, make, stimulate

   cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner
2. verb

   supply the inspiration for
   “The article about the artist inspired the exhibition of his recent work”

   type of:

   occasion

   give occasion to
3. verb

   spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts
   synonyms: barrack, cheer, exhort, pep up, root on, urge, urge on

   types:

   cheerlead

   act as a cheerleader in a sports event

   type of:

   encourage

   inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to
4. verb

   heighten or intensify
   synonyms: animate, enliven, exalt, invigorate

   types:

   encourage

   inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to

   barrack, cheer, exhort, pep up, root on, urge, urge on

   spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts

   foster, nurture

   help develop, help grow

   hollo

   encourage somebody by crying hollo

   buoy, cheer, embolden, hearten, recreate

   give encouragement to

   draw out

   make more sociable

   bring out

   encourage to be less reserved

   goad, spur

   give heart or courage to

   type of:

   excite, shake, shake up, stimulate, stir

   stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of
5. verb

   fill with revolutionary ideas
   synonyms: revolutionise, revolutionize

   type of:

   indoctrinate

   teach doctrines to; teach uncritically
6. verb

   draw in (air)
   “The patient has trouble inspiring”

   “The lung cancer patient cannot inspire air very well”

   synonyms: breathe in, inhale

   types:

   aspirate

   suck in (air)

   sniff, sniffle

   inhale audibly through the nose

   snivel, snuffle

   snuff up mucus through the nose

   snuff

   inhale audibly through the nose

   drag, draw, puff

   suck in or take (air)

   huff, snort

   inhale recreational drugs

   gasp

   inhale sharply and suddenly, as with shock

   type of:

   breathe, respire, suspire, take a breath

   draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs