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Inspire vs Initiate - What's the difference?

inspire | initiate |

As verbs the difference between inspire and initiate

is that inspire is while initiate is to begin; to start.

As an adjective initiate is

(obsolete) unpractised; untried; new.

As a noun initiate is

a new member of an organization.

inspire

English

Verb

(inspir)
  • To infuse into the mind; to communicate to the spirit; to convey, as by a divine or supernatural influence; to disclose preternaturally; to produce in, as by inspiration.
  • * Bible, Wisdom xv. 11
  • He knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Dawning day new comfort hath inspired .
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2012, month=March-April
  • , author=Anna Lena Phillips , title=Sneaky Silk Moths , volume=100, issue=2, page=172 , magazine=(American Scientist) citation , passage=Last spring, the periodical cicadas emerged across eastern North America. Their vast numbers and short above-ground life spans inspired awe and irritation in humans—and made for good meals for birds and small mammals.}}
  • To infuse into; to affect, as with a superior or supernatural influence; to fill with what animates, enlivens or exalts; to communicate inspiration to.
  • Elders should inspire children with sentiments of virtue.
  • * Dryden
  • Erato, thy poet's mind inspire , / And fill his soul with thy celestial fire.
  • To draw in by the operation of breathing; to inhale.
  • * Harvey
  • forced to inspire and expire the air with difficulty
  • To infuse by breathing, or as if by breathing.
  • (archaic) To breathe into; to fill with the breath; to animate.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • Descend, ye Nine, descend and sing, / The breathing instruments inspire .
  • To spread rumour indirectly.
  • Synonyms

    * (l)

    Antonyms

    * (inhale) expire

    Derived terms

    * inspirer

    Anagrams

    * ----

    initiate

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) Unpractised; untried; new.
  • * Shakespeare
  • the initiate fear that wants hard use
  • (obsolete) Begun; commenced; introduced to, or instructed in, the rudiments; newly admitted.
  • * Young
  • To rise in science as in bliss, / Initiate in the secrets of the skies.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A new member of an organization.
  • One who has been through a ceremony of initiation.
  • Verb

    (initiat)
  • To begin; to start.
  • * I. Taylor
  • How are changes of this sort to be initiated ?
  • To instruct in the rudiments or principles; to introduce.
  • * Dr. H. More
  • Providence would only initiate mankind into the useful knowledge of her treasures, leaving the rest to employ our industry.
  • * John Locke
  • To initiate his pupil into any part of learning, an ordinary skill in the governor is enough.
  • To confer membership on; especially, to admit to a secret order with mysterious rites or ceremonies.
  • * Bishop Warburton
  • The Athenians believed that he who was initiated and instructed in the mysteries would obtain celestial honour after death.
  • * Spectator
  • He was initiated into half a dozen clubs before he was one and twenty.
  • To do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the initiative.
  • (Alexander Pope)

    Antonyms

    * (to begin) end, conclude, complete, finish