verb

inspire

in-SPY-er/ɪnˈspaɪər/

To awaken a strong feeling that moves someone to respond.

The cellist's performance inspires a young woman to practice her cello.

An accomplished Black female cellist performs for a young adult white woman who watches with renewed enthusiasm and reaches for her own cello to practice.

Etymology

To inspire is historically to “breathe into”: Latin already used this image for exciting or stirring someone. Filling a person with an idea, purpose, or feeling continues that figurative sense of giving inward animation.

In context

ThinkTech Hawaii23:47

can inspire more people to think with different perspectives and to have insight to look towards the community look towards empathy and have that drive their ambitions

The Life of an Aspiring Entrepreneur (Community Matters)

More examples

Her calm leadership inspires confidence in the team.
The volunteers inspire me to help my neighbors.
The film inspired Maya to write her own story.

Forms

inspire · inspires · inspired · inspiring

inspiration noun — Someone or something that awakens creative motivation.

inspirational adjective — Able to awaken enthusiasm or motivation.

Similar words

motivate: Emphasizes giving someone a reason or drive to act.
encourage: Emphasizes giving support or confidence rather than awakening feelings.
stir: Emphasizes arousing a feeling, without necessarily prompting action.