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

Mike Christy/Getty Images An avid swimmer who aspires to one day complete the famous event from Alcatraz in San Francisco, Vitello scans his various baseball zones much like a lifeguard with eyes up, observing everything and everyone. —CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026

His advice to the aspiring filmmakers in the room was unsentimental. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026

The nonprofit produces the San Francisco International Film Festival and provides grants to aspiring filmmakers. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026

For someone aspiring to play for England at this summer’s World Cup, a run of two goals in 11 games will not have cut the mustard for United’s No 9. —Beren Cross, New York Times, 16 Mar. 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