aspire

verb

as·pire | \ ə-ˈspī(-ə)r

aspired; aspiring

Definition of aspire

intransitive verb

1 : to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal She aspired to a career in medicine.

2 : ascend, soar

Other Words from aspire Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about aspire

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Synonyms for aspire

Synonyms

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

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

Nine-year-old Lena, who aspires to be a cook like her mom, had blueberry bread in the oven. — Marcella Bombardieri, The Atlantic, "One College's Struggle to Get Poor Students Through School," 30 May 2018 The new school will bolster arts education and research, thus better preparing students who aspire to be professional artists by allowing them to take transdisciplinary classes to fit their major’s core requirements. — Mark Rudin, idahostatesman, "Arts and science together: Research plays vital role in Idaho’s cultural world | Idaho Statesman," 27 Apr. 2018 The sports beat was once something writers aspired to move beyond—James Reston and Westbrook Pegler... — Henry D. Fetter, WSJ, "‘Infinite Baseball’ Review: A Philosopher at the Ballpark," 28 Mar. 2019 The pink scrunchie featured a black Fendi logo—as all great scrunchies could only aspire to do. — Lauren Alexis Fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "A Moment for Jason Momoa’s Pink Fendi Scrunchie at the Oscars," 25 Feb. 2019 For a very long time the things we were supposed to aspire to be in were so stupid. — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, "Christina Ricci Is Glad Social Media Didn't Exist When She Was a Young Star," 19 Jan. 2019 Anaee was preparing more than 100 loaves for diners Wednesday night as part of a program that lets refugees aspiring to be chefs work in professional kitchens. — Washington Post, "US restaurants host refugee chefs who offer a taste of home," 25 June 2018 If, as many earnestly pray, the ascension of Elizabeth II can help to remove the last shreds of prejudice against women aspiring to the highest places, then a new era for women will indeed be at hand. — Eliana Dockterman, Time, "Elizabeth Didn’t Expect to Be Queen. Here’s How It Happened," 1 June 2018 But for women aspiring for such jobs, the obstacles include cultural barriers in a society where women are restricted to mainly working the fields and cooking and cleaning for the family. — Abigail Van Buren, Houston Chronicle, "Women’s shared misery enabled better friendship," 27 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aspire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.