inspire

To give someone ideas or make them want to create or do something.

• Your story could inspire others.
• The mountains inspired her latest painting.
• Who inspired you to become a teacher?

How to use it: inspire someone to do something (Her teacher inspired her to write poetry.); be inspired by someone/something (The painting was inspired by a childhood memory.)

Similar words: motivate, stimulate

Opposites: discourage

Common phrases: inspire someone, inspire a story, inspire someone’s work

To fill someone with a strong feeling or desire to act.

• Her courage inspired us all.
• The speech inspired the crowd with hope.
• Does his leadership inspire confidence?

How to use it: inspire someone with something (The coach inspired her team with confidence.); inspire something in someone (Her calm voice inspired trust in us.)

Similar words: encourage, uplift

Opposites: dishearten

Common phrases: inspire confidence, inspire someone with something, inspire trust

To give someone thoughts or words believed to come from God or another god.

• They believe God inspired the writer.
• The prophet claimed that a spirit had inspired him.
• Her prayer asks God to inspire her words.

How to use it: be inspired by God (They believe these words were inspired by God.)

Common phrases: inspire a prophet, divinely inspire someone

To put a thought or feeling into someone’s mind, especially through a spiritual influence.

• The vision inspired faith in her heart.
• They believed the spirit inspired this thought.
• His prayer inspired a sense of peace in them.

How to use it: inspire something in someone (The vision inspired hope in the weary travelers.)

Similar words: instill, impart

Common phrases: inspire hope, inspire a thought, inspire faith

To take air into your lungs.

• The patient was unable to inspire deeply.
• As you inspire, your chest expands.
• The mask warms the air you inspire.

Similar words: inhale, breathe in

Opposites: expire, exhale

Common phrases: inspire air, inspire deeply