to have an animating or uplifting influence on (somebody)
She was particularly inspired by the Impressionists
inspiring music
to act as a stimulus for (somebody or something)
Threats don't necessarily inspire people to work harder
This piece of music was inspired by a trip to Venice
(+ with) to cause (somebody) to feel a particular emotion
Seeing the old room again inspired him with nostalgia
to communicate (something) to somebody supernaturally
He believed his writings to be inspired by God
to influence or guide (somebody) by divine or supernatural inspiration
formal to inhale (something)
formal to breathe in
inspirer noun
inspiring adj
inspiringly adv
[Middle English inspiren via French from Latin inspirare to blow or breathe upon, from in-2 + spirare to breathe]