inspirit
verb
transitive verb
Synonyms
- bear up
- buck up
- buoy (up)
- cheer (up)
- chirk (up)
- embolden
- encourage
- hearten
- inspire
- steel
Example Sentences
Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2019 The women's program is the entire backbone and inspiriting force of soccer in America - and has been ever since 1996. Sally Jenkins, courant.com, 12 June 2019 The women’s program is the entire backbone and inspiriting force of soccer in America - and has been ever since 1996. Sally Jenkins, Houston Chronicle, 12 June 2019 Word History
15th century, in the meaning defined above
inspirit
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- inspire
- encourage
- hearten
- embolden
- stimulate
- invigorate
- steel
- enliven
- reinforce
- animate
- bear up
- buck up
- provoke
- buoy (up)
- reassure
- cheer (up)
- strengthen
- excite
- energize
- assure
- chirk (up)
- enforce
- fortify
- galvanize
- reenforce
- quicken
- stir
- rally
- boost
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- discourage
- dishearten
- daunt
- dispirit
- sadden
- depress
- undermine
- demoralize
- weaken
- debilitate
- enfeeble
- intimidate
- hamstring
- psych (out)
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of inspirit are embolden, encourage, and hearten. While all these words mean "to fill with courage or strength of purpose," inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something.
Although the words embolden and inspirit have much in common, embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance.
In some situations, the words encourage and inspirit are roughly equivalent. However, encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency.
The synonyms hearten and inspirit are sometimes interchangeable, but hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal.