ENGLISH
REFERENCE

inspires

v.
B1 Intermediate US //ˌɪnˈspaɪɹz// UK //ɪnspˈaɪəz// in·spires

v. to give someone the enthusiasm or desire to do something creative or good. You might feel this way after seeing a great movie or meeting a brave person.

v. to fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially something creative. Often takes a direct object or is followed by an infinitive phrase.


SIMPLE

The teacher inspires her students to work hard.

CONTEXTUAL

The coach's halftime speech inspires the team to play with more energy and focus during the second half.

COMPLEX

While many artists find that nature inspires their best work, others require the chaotic energy of a city to spark their creative process.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

Transitive verb; frequently followed by an object and a to-infinitive ('inspires someone to do something').

Pitfall

He inspires of meHe inspires meInspire is a transitive verb and takes a direct object without a preposition.

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