inspiring
adjective
in·spir·ing in-ˈspī-riŋ 
: having an animating or exalting effect
Synonyms
- breathtaking
- charged
- electric
- electrifying
- exciting
- exhilarating
- exhilarative
- galvanic
- galvanizing
- hair-raising
- heart-stopping
- intoxicating
- kicky
- mind-bending
- mind-blowing
- mind-boggling
- rip-roaring
- rousing
- stimulating
- stirring
- thrilling
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
an inspiring idea for a national program in which young people would commit themselves to a year of community service
Recent Examples on the Web The reality is something more interesting, and perhaps even more inspiring. 
Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2022 Pink and Carey Hart have a love story that is both relatable and inspiring. Robin Raven, Peoplemag, 23 Aug. 2022 Over the past six months, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has become an inspiring wartime leader and champion of his country. Isabelle Khurshudyan, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2022 Germaine’s portrayal of Jordan gives the character a command of every situation that’s both believable and inspiring. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2022 Working with you has always been enjoyable and inspiring! Cameron Jenkins, Good Housekeeping, 26 July 2022 Honoring the lives of Gibson and Issac, while also uplifting the communities mobilizing to effect change, the film is an essential and inspiring call to action. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 19 July 2022 Ketanji Brown Jackson’s June 30 swearing-in as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court was historic and inspiring. Keli Goff, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 July 2022 The Ukrainian resistance has all of the former — a righteous cause, an inspiring leader, the support of most of the world — and Russia has a preponderance of the latter. Rich Lowry, National Review, 4 Mar. 2022 See More
Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2022 Pink and Carey Hart have a love story that is both relatable and inspiring. Robin Raven, Peoplemag, 23 Aug. 2022 Over the past six months, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has become an inspiring wartime leader and champion of his country. Isabelle Khurshudyan, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2022 Germaine’s portrayal of Jordan gives the character a command of every situation that’s both believable and inspiring. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2022 Working with you has always been enjoyable and inspiring! Cameron Jenkins, Good Housekeeping, 26 July 2022 Honoring the lives of Gibson and Issac, while also uplifting the communities mobilizing to effect change, the film is an essential and inspiring call to action. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 19 July 2022 Ketanji Brown Jackson’s June 30 swearing-in as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court was historic and inspiring. Keli Goff, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 July 2022 The Ukrainian resistance has all of the former — a righteous cause, an inspiring leader, the support of most of the world — and Russia has a preponderance of the latter. Rich Lowry, National Review, 4 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1717, in the meaning defined above
inspiring 1 of 2
adjective
as in breathtaking
causing great emotional or mental stimulation an inspiring idea for a national program in which young people would commit themselves to a year of community service Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- breathtaking
- exciting
- interesting
- intriguing
- thrilling
- exhilarating
- galvanizing
- electrifying
- intoxicating
- fascinating
- provocative
- gripping
- mind-blowing
- electric
- stimulating
- rousing
- riveting
- mind-boggling
- absorbing
- mind-bending
- exhilarative
- kicky
- engrossing
- galvanic
- enchanting
- heart-stopping
- lively
- stirring
- enthralling
- tantalizing
- rip-roaring
- moving
- hair-raising
- touching
- arresting
- poignant
- spellbinding
- charged
- dynamic
- titillating
- energetic
- kinetic
- high-voltage
- lusty
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- boring
- unexciting
- tedious
- tiresome
- uninteresting
- dull
- monotonous
- mind-numbing
- dreary
- humdrum
inspiring
2 of 2verb
1
as in encouraging
to fill with courage or strength of purpose the rousing campaign speech inspired everyone to get out the vote Synonyms & Similar Words
- encouraging
- inspiriting
- heartening
- stimulating
- emboldening
- invigorating
- reinforcing
- provoking
- enlivening
- reassuring
- exciting
- bearing up
- energizing
- animating
- bucking up
- buoying (up)
- steeling
- strengthening
- chirking (up)
- galvanizing
- cheering (up)
- enforcing
- stirring
- assuring
- rallying
- fortifying
- reenforcing
- quickening
- boosting
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- discouraging
- daunting
- disheartening
- depressing
- undermining
- demoralizing
- intimidating
- dispiriting
- saddening
- debilitating
- weakening
- enfeebling
- hamstringing
- psyching (out)
2
as in evoking
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved) what inspired that comment? Synonyms & Similar Words
- evoking
- eliciting
- revealing
- educing
- raising
- calling forth
- getting
- pulling
- gaining
- extracting
- exposing
- discovering
- obtaining
- dragging
- uncovering
- extorting
- wresting
- securing
- unveiling
- procuring
- divulging
- disclosing
- wangling
- evincing
- baring
- unmasking
- wringing
- dredging (up)
- coaxing (out)
- uncloaking
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- missing
- forgetting
- ignoring
- disregarding
- overlooking
- neglecting
- passing over
- overpassing
3
as in educating
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding great works of visual art can inspire us in ways that the written word often cannot Synonyms & Similar Words
- educating
- enlightening
- uplifting
- enriching
- edifying
- transforming
- nurturing
- illuminating
- illumining
- ennobling
- improving
- illuming
- elevating
- lifting
- bettering
- exalting
- ensouling
- transfiguring
- regenerating
- renewing
- glorifying
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- confusing
- puzzling
- perplexing
- obscuring
- darkening
- clouding
- beclouding