inspiring

The word “inspiring” means filling people with enthusiasm, motivation, or creative energy. In plain terms, something or someone that motivates or uplifts people.

“Inspiring” is pronounced ihn-SPEYE-uh-rihng (/ɪnˈspaɪɹ.ɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “inspiring” used in a sentence: “It was an inspiring speech that had the whole room in tears.”

“Inspiring” is an adjective.

“Inspiring” is a fairly common word in modern English.

The two overlap heavily, and both describe something that fills people with enthusiasm or motivation. Inspirational is used especially for things intended to inspire, such as inspirational quotes or speakers, while inspiring more often reports the actual effect something had, as in "her story was genuinely inspiring."

Inspiring describes something that fills other people with enthusiasm, motivation, or creative energy. Aspiring describes a person who hopes to become something, as in "an aspiring actor," so the words point in opposite directions: outward effect versus personal ambition.

The standard form is awe-inspiring, with a hyphen, meaning so impressive that it fills people with awe. The hyphen is kept both before a noun ("an awe-inspiring view") and after a verb ("the view was awe-inspiring").

Motivating gives someone a concrete reason or push to act, often tied to goals or rewards. Inspiring works at a deeper level, filling people with enthusiasm or creative energy, frequently through example rather than instruction.