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
Golden Goose has drawn inspiration from the cowboy aesthetic since its inception.
—
Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 22 July 2025
While his inebriation didn’t affect the artistry of the band’s first five albums, by the late ’70s, Sabbath were floundering, both creatively and personally, due to in-fighting, lack of inspiration and heavy drug use.
—Jim Farber, Billboard, 22 July 2025
Many other fellow moms commented and praised Chambers for being an inspiration.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
David Weigel: What’s your inspiration for asking these questions?
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspiration
Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 22 July 2025
While his inebriation didn’t affect the artistry of the band’s first five albums, by the late ’70s, Sabbath were floundering, both creatively and personally, due to in-fighting, lack of inspiration and heavy drug use.
—Jim Farber, Billboard, 22 July 2025
Many other fellow moms commented and praised Chambers for being an inspiration.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
David Weigel: What’s your inspiration for asking these questions?
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inspiration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspiration
Noun
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One of the main motivations for the group of firefighters during their recovery missions was to locate the missing Camp Mystic girls during their six days along the Guadalupe, Herrera said.—
Graham Hurley,
CNN Money,
27 July 2025
-
Whether on screen or behind the scenes, Whitley’s motivation remains rooted in her purpose: bringing joy to others.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
26 July 2025
Noun
-
His life reflects a deep and continuous pursuit of learning, creativity, and balance.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
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But Astronomer unexpectedly chose a different path that included irony, creativity, and self-aware transparency.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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Axios reported last month that Trump stopped short of endorsing Rogers during a February dinner at Mar-a-Lago with Republican senators, but offered encouragement.—
M.L. Elrick,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
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Others shared words of encouragement and admiration for Savage.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
22 July 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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Guests can witness the eclipse surrounded by mountains and immersed in pristine Icelandic nature, from the comfort of the lodge's private Spa House, relaxing in the sauna, hot and cold tubs, with lakeside views as the Moon's shadow passes overhead.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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The corduroy fabric adds a soft, textured feel that brings warmth and coziness to a room, while the high-density foam offers a sink-in comfort feeling.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Elijah Craig first discovered that there were two towns in its home state of Kentucky named Happy and Gilmore, and that became the impetus for this special gifting.—
Jeanette Hurt,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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The Cannonball Run’s legend was the impetus for the 1981 action-comedy film of the same name and starring Burt Reynolds.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
27 July 2025
Noun
-
West Elementary gets the primary relief from LaGuardo.—
Andy Humbles,
The Tennessean,
26 July 2025
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As an extreme heat wave threatens more than 200 million people in the U.S., a tropical system lingering in the Gulf could bring some relief during the hottest days of the year.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inspiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspiration. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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