aspire

as·pire

verb \ə-ˈspī(-ə)r\

as·piredas·pir·ing

Definition of ASPIRE

intransitive verb

1

: to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal <aspired to a career in medicine>

2

: ascend, soar

— as·pir·er noun

Examples of ASPIRE

1. <aspire to great deeds, and you have a better chance of doing good deeds>
2. <a tower aspiring towards the heavens>

Origin of ASPIRE

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

Related to ASPIRE

Synonyms: aim, allow [chiefly Southern & Midland], intend, calculate, contemplate, design, go [chiefly Southern & Midland], look, mean, meditate, plan, propose, purport, purpose

Antonyms: decline, descend, dip, drop, fall (off), plunge

Related Words: dream, hope, wish; consider, debate, mull (over), ponder; attempt, endeavor, strive, struggle, try; plot, scheme; accomplish, achieve, effect, execute, perform

Near Antonyms: dive, nose-dive, plummet, sink, slide

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Rhymes with ASPIRE

attire, backfire, bemire, catch fire, cross fire, denier, desire, entire, for hire, fox fire, Greek fire, grey friar, hang fire, hellfire, live wire, on fire, prior, rimfire, sapphire, sea fire, snow tire, town crier, trip wire, umpire, watch fire, white friar