adjective
Common
inspiring
ihn-SPEYE-uh-rihng
Inspiring (adjective) means filling people with enthusiasm, motivation, or creative energy. Example: “The teacher gave an inspiring talk that made everyone want to try harder.”
adjective
1
Filling people with enthusiasm, motivation, or creative energy.
"The teacher gave an inspiring talk that made everyone want to try harder."
"It was an inspiring speech that had the whole room in tears."
"Her journey from refugee to surgeon is truly inspiring."
How to use inspiring
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething or someone that motivates or uplifts people.
Common pairings
truly inspiring
an inspiring story
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Word forms
- Plural
- inspirings
- Comparative
- more inspiring
- Superlative
- most inspiring
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The teacher gave an _____ talk that made everyone want to try harder.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
uninspiring
Related words
Rhymes for inspiring
See all rhymes for inspiring →Frequently asked questions
What does “inspiring” mean?
The word “inspiring” means filling people with enthusiasm, motivation, or creative energy. In plain terms, something or someone that motivates or uplifts people.
How do you pronounce “inspiring”?
“Inspiring” is pronounced ihn-SPEYE-uh-rihng (/ɪnˈspaɪɹ.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “inspiring” in a sentence?
Here is “inspiring” used in a sentence: “It was an inspiring speech that had the whole room in tears.”
What part of speech is “inspiring”?
“Inspiring” is an adjective.
Is “inspiring” a common word?
“Inspiring” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between inspiring and inspirational?
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."
What is the difference between inspiring and aspiring?
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.
Is it awe-inspiring or awe inspiring?
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").
What is the difference between inspiring and motivating?
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.
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