Synonyms of aspire

aspire

verb

ə-ˈspī(-ə)r 

1

as in to intend

to have in mind as a purpose or goal

aspire to great deeds, and you have a better chance of doing good deeds

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intend
• plan
• hope
• mean
• aim
• wish
• go
• contemplate
• look
• try
• propose
• purpose
• design
• calculate
• purport
• allow
• attempt
• meditate
• strive
• dream
• consider
• figure on
• achieve
• struggle
• accomplish
• endeavor
• perform
• ponder
• scheme
• debate
• execute
• mull (over)
• effect
• plot

2

as in to rise

to move or extend upward

a tower aspiring towards the heavens

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rise
• ascend
• climb
• soar
• lift
• up
• mount
• arise
• thrust
• slope
• elevate
• uprear
• lean
• uprise
• upturn
• tilt
• tower
• incline
• upthrust
• uplift
• surge
• raise
• scale
• surmount
• top
• take off
• boost
• cant
• zoom
• upheave
• upraise
• blast off
• balloon
• tip
• list
• crest
• recline
• slant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fall (off)
• descend
• decline
• drop
• plunge
• dip
• sink
• dive
• slide
• plummet
• nose-dive

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of aspire

Their insights offer aspiring nonprofit professionals a clearer picture of the field while encouraging those already working in it to reconsider their own assumptions. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Oct. 2026

The show has her playing Hannah Wells, an aspiring songwriter navigating college life and a complicated romance with its star hockey player. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

To write is to always aspire to the meeting of two people, not in time or space but in a meeting of their essence. — Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026

Tattoo artist Benny Shields never aspired to make his mark in Hollywood, let alone on Hollywood. — Danielle Directo-Meston, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026