English dictionary



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English verb: inspire

1. inspire (emotion) heighten or intensify


SamplesThese paintings exalt the imagination.


ExamplesThe performance is likely to inspire Sue


Synonymsanimate, enliven, exalt, invigorate


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)excite, shake, shake up, stimulate, stir


Narrower (hyponym)encourage

2. inspire (creation) supply the inspiration for


SamplesThe article about the artist inspired the exhibition of his recent work.


Pattern of useSomething ----s something


Broader (hypernym)occasion

3. inspire (communication) serve as the inciting cause of


SamplesShe prompted me to call my relatives.


ExamplesThey inspire him to write the letter


Synonymsinstigate, prompt


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody to INFINITIVE


Broader (hypernym)cause, get, have, induce, make, stimulate

4. inspire (communication) spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts


SamplesThe crowd cheered the demonstrating strikers.


ExamplesThey inspire him to write the letter


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


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)encourage


Narrower (hyponym)cheerlead

5. inspire (cognition) fill with revolutionary ideas


Synonymsrevolutionise, revolutionize


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)indoctrinate

6. inspire (body) draw in (air)


SamplesInhale deeply.
Inhale the fresh mountain air.
The patient has trouble inspiring.
The lung cancer patient cannot inspire air very well.


Synonymsbreathe in, inhale


Pattern of useSomebody ----s.
Somebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)breathe, respire, suspire, take a breath


Narrower (hyponym)aspirate, drag, draw, huff, puff, sniff, sniffle, snivel, snort, snuff, snuffle


Antonymsbreathe out, exhale, expire









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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