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

In addition to his nonprofit work, Savon White owns Top Press Sports, a business that represents young basketball players aspiring to play professionally. —Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025

Koeppen said the new store identity points to a meaningful shift in the purpose of the brand’s retail spaces, with Penhaligon’s aspiring to create sites that feel personal and artistically curated. —Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 16 Dec. 2025

With Palm Royale, creator and writer Abe Sylvia has crafted a bright, boisterous dramatic comedy pitched perfectly to the charms and talents of its star, Kristen Wiig (who plays aspiring socialite Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons). —Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 14 Dec. 2025

We're not allowed to reinvent ourselves and grow and change and aspire for something more, or be capable of occupying that role that has historically been dominated by men. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Dec. 2025

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