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   inspire

   /ɪnˈspʌɪə/

   verb

   • 1. fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative: "his philosophy inspired a later generation of environmentalists" Similar stimulatemotivatecauseinclinepersuadeencourageinfluencerousemovestirspur (on)goadenergizegalvanizeinciteimpelanimatefire the imagination offire with enthusiasmrare:inspiritincentivizefillip
   • ▪ create (a feeling, especially a positive one) in a person: "their past record does not inspire confidence" Similar arouseawakenpromptcauseinduceignitetriggerkindleproducegeneratebring outbring aboutgive rise tosow the seeds ofliterary:enkindleOpposite extinguish
   • ▪ animate someone with (a feeling): "he inspired his students with a vision of freedom"
   • ▪ give rise to: "the film was successful enough to inspire a sequel" Similar give rise tolead toresult inbring aboutcausebe the cause ofpromptproducespawnengenderbe the inspiration forliterary:beget
   • 2. breathe in (air); inhale: "they can expand their lungs and inspire enough gas to satisfy oxygen requirements"

   Word Origin Middle Englishenspire, from Old French inspirer, from Latin inspirare ‘breathe or blow into’ from in- ‘into’ + spirare ‘breathe’. The word was originally used of a divine or supernatural being, in the sense ‘impart a truth or idea to someone’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. inspirer noun

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • I

     1

   • N

     1

   • S

     1

   • P

     3

   • I

     1

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

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