1
as in motivation
something that arouses action or activity
She traveled cross-country seeking inspiration for her next book. He credits his mother as his inspiration for becoming a social worker.
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2
as in creativity
the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others
They were a group of young artists filled with inspiration.
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3
as in uplift
a feeling of ease from grief or trouble
The return of summer brought with it a new sense of inspiration.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inspiration
The formation of my inspiration and my soul came from those people.
—
Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 10 July 2025
Drawing on diatoms for inspiration, the UPenn scientists may have come up with something that can benefit the planet almost as much as these tiny organisms.
—New Atlas, 10 July 2025
In an interview with People in January, Renna opened up about the inspiration behind the book.
—Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
Inside, the truck has a completely custom trim and takes inspiration from the motorsport world with bright green stitching, a green center line marking at the top of the steering wheel and green seatbelts.
—Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspiration
Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 10 July 2025
Drawing on diatoms for inspiration, the UPenn scientists may have come up with something that can benefit the planet almost as much as these tiny organisms.
—New Atlas, 10 July 2025
In an interview with People in January, Renna opened up about the inspiration behind the book.
—Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
Inside, the truck has a completely custom trim and takes inspiration from the motorsport world with bright green stitching, a green center line marking at the top of the steering wheel and green seatbelts.
—Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspiration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspiration
Noun
-
Here are a few of the motivations that incentive experts to switch teams.—
Melanie Hughes,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Over the years, many readers have shared how Ruby inspired them to pursue their dreams and gave them the motivation to graduate.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
Nazar brings speed and creativity to Chicago’s middle six and made history for the franchise this year as the only rookie to score a penalty-shot goal.—
Kaitlyn Pohly,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
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That’s the rivalry, contained in two points: the creativity and improvisational feel of Alcaraz; the crushing technical brilliance of Sinner.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Some cities have uplift instead of sinking A few cities on the study's map — San Jose, Memphis and Jacksonville — are depicted with green dots, which indicate uplift.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
-
The spending uptick in May may reflect an uplift in consumer sentiment but not necessarily a turning point for high-end shoppers, according to Chauvet.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
Jason Bateman even offered Shepard some encouragement to lock it down.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
12 July 2025
-
What a torrent of encouragement and loving advice and undeserved flattery over the years!—
John Updike,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Such unlikely, but highly consequential possibilities are hardest to foresee due to human bias, but grappling with them can expand strategic imagination and foster more adaptive, option-rich planning.—
François Candelon,
Fortune,
11 July 2025
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Like a game of cat-and-mouse, society will need to be vigilant and remain alert for those who let their imaginations roam wildly.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Over a balmy, slowly dissipating summer, nothing really pushes or pulls our aimless hero in either direction, and in this state of happy stagnation, melancholy becomes a comfort blanket.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
9 July 2025
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Traits shape your willingness to try new things, your perception of effort, and your comfort level in different environments—making exercise a natural outlet for expressing these tendencies, said Matthew Sacco, PhD, a sports medicine psychologist at Cleveland Clinic.—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
9 July 2025
Noun
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But another member of the Southeastern Connecticut delegation who served as the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Aundre Bumgardner, D-Groton, said that the Plainfield proposal had been the primary impetus for the bill.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
9 July 2025
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Still, Streeter suggested that further pressure from the U.K. regulator could provide the impetus required to accelerate changes within the company.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Temporary air conditioning units can provide relief from extreme heat, however these systems consume tremendous amounts of energy.—
Claire Poole,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
The Cubs, meanwhile, sought payroll relief and had a glut of outfielders following their offseason acquisition of Tucker.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inspiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspiration. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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