inspired
- 1Simple past and past participle of inspire.
The coach inspired his players to push past their limits.
A single documentary inspired thousands of viewers to change their habits.
UsageOften inspired someone to + verb (inspired them to volunteer), or in the passive with by: she was inspired by the film.
Note
The form also carries the verb's less flattering meaning of spreading rumor indirectly. That meaning survives in compounds like government-inspired rumors, where it means "planted by," not "uplifted."
- 2Patterned on, or shaped by the influence of, a specific person, thing, or style; often attached after a noun with a hyphen (Gothic-inspired).
The film is only loosely inspired by the true story it claims to tell.
Critics praised the Bauhaus-inspired furniture for its clean lines and simple shapes.
UsageWith by for the model (inspired by a true story); note an inspired menu is a brilliant one, a Thai-inspired menu is not praise.
Similarinfluenced, based
- 3Filled with inspiration and motivated, moved by a strong urge to create or achieve something.
Workers left the seminar feeling inspired to rethink the whole project.
An inspired young writer can produce a draft in a single sitting.
UsageOften inspired to + verb or inspired by a cause; a performer inspired to act is moved, an inspired performance is excellent.
Similarmotivated, energized, stimulated, enthused, galvanized
Oppositeunmotivated, discouraged, demoralized, dispirited
- 4Showing outstanding quality or brilliance that seems to flow from a moment of inspiration.
Critics praised the director's inspired use of light and shadow.
Her closing argument was an inspired piece of reasoning that swayed the jury.
UsageUsually before a noun naming a choice, idea or piece of work: an inspired decision, an inspired guess.
Similarbrilliant, ingenious, superb, masterly, imaginative
Oppositeuninspired, dull, pedestrian, mediocre
Less common meanings
- 5Produced or guided by a divine or supernatural power, as scripture, prophecy, or a prophet's words are believed to be.
Believers regard the scriptures as inspired and therefore free from error.
The congregation listened as the preacher read from what they believed was the inspired word of God.
Note
Religion uses the word for speech, texts and prophecies held to carry a voice beyond the human. John Davison's Discourses on Prophecy (1824) calls a prediction inspired because it meets "the highest test of a supernatural prescience." The word stretches just as easily to shamans who convey the words of the gods. Calling scripture inspired in this sense is a claim about its source, not praise of its style.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- John Davison wrote Discourses on Prophecy. en.wikisource.org
- Discourses on Prophecy was first published in 1824. archive.org
- Davison calls a prediction inspired and describes it using the quoted words. archive.org
- 6Swollen or distended with air; inflated.
Note
This meaning has long since dropped out of use. Older English could call something inspired when it was blown full of air, a literal reading of the breath behind the "inhaled" meaning.
- 7Drawn into the lungs through breathing; inhaled.
Showing meanings only.
inspired is a form of inspire
inspire, verb: To fill someone with strength, energy, or purpose, often as though by a higher or extraordinary influence. Full entry
- Spelling
- inspire → inspired: add -d
Practice
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