aspiring

1 of 2

adjective

aspir·​ing ə-ˈspī-riŋ How to pronounce aspiring (audio)
Synonyms of aspiring
: desiring and working to achieve a particular goal : having aspirations to attain a specified profession, position, etc.
an aspiring actor [=a person who aspires to be and is trying to become an actor]
an aspiring novelist

aspiring

2 of 2

present participle of aspire

Synonyms of aspiring

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Adjective

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Examples of aspiring in a Sentence

Adjective an aspiring young pianist eager to win the prestigious competition
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.
Adjective
Tate, an aspiring model, punched Johnson once in the face and walked off. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 Ghosh is one of the faculty members with an AI version that is part of an online startup bootcamp, where aspiring founders can rehearse investor pitches, sales calls, and board meetings. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 Green and Perry starred alongside one another on the hit Fox series, in which Green portrayed the aspiring musician David Silver while Perry starred as the rebellious Dylan McKay, for 10 years from 1990 to 2000. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 Shaheen Jafargholi will perform the role of aspiring musician Fabian Salah after star-turns in War, The Agency and Lost Boys and Fairies. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aspiring

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aspiring was in 1788

Rhymes for aspiring

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Browse Nearby Words

aspirin
aspiring
Aspis
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Cite this Entry

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

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