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’s key considering the film’s hard-to-classify nature, in which Early, first of all playing a woman, portrays an aspiring food influencer and content creator who is struggling with an eating disorder. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 24 June 2026

The Juszczyks became friendly with Swift after Kelce started dating her in 2023 — enough that Kristin enjoyed a career-defining moment as an aspiring fashion designer, courtesy of the Grammy winner. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 24 June 2026

Dozens of Eckhaus Latta–clad, Tabi-toed aspiring downtown cool kids were lined up around the block to attend a poetry reading at the menswear store, headlined by writer Victoria Rose. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 23 June 2026

Now, the Department of Education’s decision that students in graduate nursing programs are no longer eligible to borrow as much as other aspiring healthcare professionals threatens to make that shortage even worse. — Courtney Connley-Hampton, Forbes.com, 23 June 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