aspire

verb

as·​pire ə-ˈspī(-ə)r 

aspired; aspiring

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

• intend
• plan
• hope
• mean
• aim
• wish
• go

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

Because of the size and influence of UC across the state, the UC course requirements determine aspiring students’ high school careers. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

For anyone still aspiring to digital nomad status (or stretching their OOO time to the fullest), an extended stay in a long-term Airbnb rental is the simplest way to avoid living out of a suitcase or turning to bargain hotels. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2026

Wahlforss now assists other aspiring founders in solving their missing puzzle pieces. — Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has offered similar advice, encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to spend time learning inside world-class organizations before venturing out on their own. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 July 2026

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

Rhymes for aspire

• admire
• afire
• backfire
• esquire
• expire
• haywire
• hellfire
• inquire
• inspire
• newswire
• perspire
• rehire

Kids Definition

aspire

verb

as·​pire ə-ˈspī(ə)r 

aspired; aspiring

: to work to get something high or great

aspirer noun