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

That organization aspired to draw young people away from street violence. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026

Those funds are intended to do everything from funding more spots for low-income families and increasing worker wages to providing scholarships for aspiring educators and building infrastructure. —Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026

Some incels use the term in a derogatory fashion, believing those who aspire to ascension are delusional. —David Faris, TheWeek, 8 Apr. 2026

The 2019 overdose death of aspiring personal trainer Cody McLaury was found to have a haunting connection to Perry. —Jack Hannah, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 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