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

Gaines’ windfall coincided with a banner fundraising year for the Leadership Institute, which Blackwell founded in 1979 to serve as a training ground for conservatives aspiring to top roles in politics, government and the media. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 Dec. 2025

In Anaconda, the two play aspiring filmmakers who journey to the Amazon to reboot the 1997 creature feature originally starring Ice Cube, Jennifer Lopez and Jon Voight. —Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025

However, the celebration quickly turned tragic when Bradley vanished from her stateroom as the ship was preparing to dock in Curaçao, sparking a massive search for the aspiring sports psychology student in a case that remains unsolved. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 20 Dec. 2025

Housing supply can also be an issue, with not enough homes available for aspiring purchasers. —Lorie Konish, CNBC, 20 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