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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in encouraging
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
the rousing campaign speech inspired everyone to get out the vote
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in eliciting
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved)
what inspired that comment?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Adapted from Rachel Reid’s novel, the show balances complex themes of sexuality and emotional connection, inspiring fans and promoting non-toxic masculinity, ultimately making what was arguably the biggest cultural impact in television this year.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
The eco-conscious and dog-friendly boutique hotel has serene views of a manmade lake, inspiring artwork throughout, and an indoor-outdoor fine dining restaurant.
—Sharael Kolberg, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inspiring
Adjective
That's placed there by terrorist groups, foreign intelligence services and others, specifically for the purposes of inspiring and inciting violence.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Adapted from Rachel Reid’s novel, the show balances complex themes of sexuality and emotional connection, inspiring fans and promoting non-toxic masculinity, ultimately making what was arguably the biggest cultural impact in television this year.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
The juicy food offering is also inspiring the season's color schemes.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
The eco-conscious and dog-friendly boutique hotel has serene views of a manmade lake, inspiring artwork throughout, and an indoor-outdoor fine dining restaurant.
—Sharael Kolberg, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inspiring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspiring
Adjective
-
Few journeys bring you as close to this breathtaking landscape as the Rocky Mountaineer, a train that threads through canyons, forests, and mountain passes.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Time honoree Nikki Glaser is breathtaking in baby blue at the 2026 TIME100 Gala in New York City on April 23.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The state has tried to get upstream from abuse and neglect, raising awareness of resources and encouraging the general community to support families, said Thomas Miller, director of children, aging and community services at the Colorado Department of Human Services.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Parents and pediatricians can advocate for child pedestrian safety by supporting and encouraging community programs with resources offered through organizations such as Safe Routes to School.—
Dr. Phyllis Agran,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Justice Department under President Joe Biden, a Democrat, had proposed to reclassify marijuana, eliciting nearly 43,000 formal public comments.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The efforts to reclassify marijuana The Justice Department under President Biden had proposed to reclassify marijuana, eliciting nearly 43,000 formal public comments.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fort Worth police also started a campaign in June 2025 to increase patrols in downtown and began educating people about the problem of loud noise.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2026
-
While educating the audience on the world of tea, Creane tells a haunting personal story of losing her emotionally distant father to cancer and seeing up close the collapse of polar ice sheets due to climate change.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But that exciting crash sequence — from initial turbulence through to catastrophic Pacific Ocean landing — is where high-stakes action specialist Harlin is most firmly in his sweet spot.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Friends, networks and social circles can bring exciting connections now.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bonarowski is Polish-American, de Almeida is Brazilian and Hassler and Shade-Alexander are both American, evoking the multicultural aspects of the opera’s story.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The new pastel series is a soft yet definitive vision reflecting the Formula 1 watch’s identity, evoking a sense of the collection’s colorful and vibrant heritage — while continuing to build and refine the world of the Tag Heuer Formula 1 watch collection.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
If Houston wins that one, things start to get really interesting for a 3-0 comeback.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Orlando would scurry to get back in the game and thanks to some lucky breaks in the second half, the Storm were able to make things interesting.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Mitchell, Okorafor and Newman were all brought back to comprise the backup group, while Cooper is an intriguing developmental guard the Jets added in the sixth round.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The discovery also adds to a growing list of intriguing mineral finds.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inspiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspiring. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
