inspirational
Stirring the soul
Inspirational describes something that arouses motivation, creativity, or elevated feeling: an inspirational speech, an inspirational teacher.
The word often appears in contexts of self-improvement and religious encouragement.
It can carry a whiff of the saccharine—inspirational quotes printed on posters or coffee mugs suggest earnest uplift rather than genuine profundity.
Emotionally encouraging
- hopefulFeeling positive expectation
- aspirationalStriving toward ideals
- heartwarmingEvoking tender positive feelings
- elevatingLifting to higher level
encouraging · reassuring · affirmative · positive · healing · comforting · enlightening · transformative
Capacity for original thought
- imaginationFaculty for forming ideas
- museThink deeply about
- originalityNovel creative quality
- artistryExceptional creative skill
ingenuity · invention · genius · innovative · insight · expression · vision · spark
Capacity to recover quickly
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
grit · steadfastness · persistence · willpower · courage · resolve · dedication · commitment
Trusted wisdom-giving advisor
- guideLeader or instruction book
- coachOne who instructs
- encourageUrge forward with support
- supportTo uphold or sustain
nurture · empower · advocate · champion · teacher · exemplar · influence · counsel
Imaginative planner of futures
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- dreamerOne given to fantasies
- futuristTomorrow trends scholar
idealist · leader · innovator · thinker · prophet · sage · reformer · changemaker
uplifting
Emotionally encouraging
- hopefulFeeling positive expectation
- aspirationalStriving toward ideals
- heartwarmingEvoking tender positive feelings
elevating · encouraging · reassuring · affirmative · positive · healing · comforting · enlightening · transformative · moving
creativity
Capacity for original thought
- imaginationFaculty for forming ideas
- museThink deeply about
- originalityNovel creative quality
artistry · ingenuity · invention · genius · innovative · insight · expression · vision · spark · breakthrough
resilience
Capacity to recover quickly
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- determinationFirmness of purpose
fortitude · grit · steadfastness · persistence · willpower · courage · resolve · dedication · commitment · overcoming
mentor
Trusted wisdom-giving advisor
support · nurture · empower · advocate · champion · teacher · exemplar · influence · counsel · wisdom
visionary
Imaginative planner of futures
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- dreamerOne given to fantasies
futurist · idealist · leader · innovator · thinker · prophet · sage · reformer · changemaker · luminary
motivation
Impetus toward a goal
enthusiasm · zeal · catalyst · momentum · determination · galvanize · energize · impetus · fervor · passion
- Christian booksBible, devotional, prayer book, study Bible, hymnal
- feel-good movieshappy ending, feel-good hit, crowd-pleaser, triumph
- speaking stylesarticulate, blunt, candid, conversational, casual
- middlebrowbestseller, popular fiction, mass-market, coffee table book, airport novel
- gospel musicgospel hymns, gospel quartet, mass choir, praise songs, gospel choir
- booksnovel, textbooks, study guides, book, paperback
inspirationaldemoralizing
Destroying confidence or hope
dispiriting · discouraging · disheartening · depressing · deflating
inspirationaldiscouraging
Causing loss of confidence
demotivating · uninspiring · uninspirational · disempowering · defeating
- inspirational quotesMotivating passages from others
- inspirational womenWomen who uplift and motivate
- divine inspirationGuidance from the sacred
- inspirational talesNarratives promoting hope and courage
- inspirational talksSpeeches meant to motivate
- mutual inspirationWhen both parties uplift