Crossword Genius

Wonderful, inspirational action? (12)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

breathtaking

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'wonderful' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'inspirational action?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'action?' could be 'breath' (breath is a kind of action) and 'breath' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'taking' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for breathtaking that I've seen before include "Moving" , "Awe-inspiring" , "way of getting air into the lungs" , "if one is not one is dead?" , "Astounding" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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