aspire

verb

as·​pire ə-ˈspī(-ə)r How to pronounce aspire (audio)
aspired; aspiring
Synonyms of aspire

intransitive verb

1
: to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal
She aspired to a career in medicine.
2
: ascend, soar
aspirer noun

Synonyms of aspire

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Examples of aspire in a Sentence

aspire to great deeds, and you have a better chance of doing good deeds a tower aspiring towards the heavens
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Still, for every resourceful, imaginative low-budget success, there is a bungled movie that aspires, if not to quality, then at least to financial viability, but instead achieves legendary ineptitude. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 His videos drew dozens of aspiring food truck owners, many of them immigrants like Ochoa, who entrusted him with their life savings in hopes of turning their dreams into a livelihood. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 The nonprofit offers aspiring women mentorships and training on everything from financial literacy to entrepreneurship — often with child care provided. — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 These are just a few of the financial barriers that deter applicants and lead as many as one-quarter of the nation’s aspiring physicians to reconsider enrollment or to switch to nonclinical career paths. — Marj Halperin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aspire

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French aspirer, from Latin aspirare, literally, to breathe upon, from ad- + spirare to breathe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aspire was in the 14th century

Rhymes for aspire

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Browse Nearby Words

aspirator
aspire
aspirer
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Cite this Entry

“Aspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aspire. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

aspire

verb
as·​pire ə-ˈspī(ə)r How to pronounce aspire (audio)
aspired; aspiring
: to work to get something high or great
aspirer noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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