ASPIRE Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

aspire

verb

ə-ˈspī(-ə)r

Definition of aspire

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

Relevance

as in to rise

to move or extend upward a tower aspiring towards the heavens

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of aspire An aspiring singer, Jo grew frustrated by Slade’s attempts to turn her into a stay-at-home wife and mother to his two sons from a previous relationship. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 10 July 2026 The Memphis area has an impressive public golf course scene that other cities, such as my hometown of Nashville, aspire to have. — Joel Haley, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 10 July 2026 With humanity still short of reaching Type I status, is aspiring to become a Type II even possible? — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 10 July 2026 After all, our public schools aspire to do much more than simply prepare workers for jobs. — Tim Knowles, Fortune, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for aspire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspire

Verb

The end of Temporary Protected Status — a program intended to protect people in the event of a natural disaster — heightened concerns about deportation to a country that is reeling after twin earthquakes from June 24.

— Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
If Washington intends to withdraw forces, assets or capabilities, allies need a roadmap and a timeline.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 July 2026

Definition of intend

Verb

The combination of rising demand, tighter schedules and growing sensitivity to pet welfare is pushing more people toward mobile options.

— Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Gifts from foundations, such as those backed by the Samueli and Sun families, rose by about 3%, despite huge gains in stock markets and other assets that typically boost the financial health of foundations.

— Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 10 July 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

Recognizing the complex from a previous arrest but seeing little activity, the team planned to return later.

— Reeti Malhotra July 13, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
The brief event showcased the Grand Prix-style auto race his administration is planning around the national monuments next month to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.

— Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 13 July 2026

Definition of plan

Verb

None of the apartments surpass 950 square feet, there is no parking, and residents of the lower units must ascend a series of staircases to reach street level.

— Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 13 July 2026
The public, the establishment, and the media simply did not allow anyone to ascend to the top of the political ladder if either of these factors were present.

— Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2026

Definition of ascend

Verb

The votes were based on an implicit, perhaps even desperate, hope that streamlining administration might raise the state’s mediocre levels of academic achievement.

— Dan Walters, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
Critics of the deal hope that the lawsuit will force Paramount to abandon its merger dreams altogether, though that seems hard to imagine, and would leave WBD in a weak position.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Definition of hope

Verb

Expectations of higher inflation amid surging oil prices have pushed up the long-term bond yields that lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans, causing mortgage rates to climb.

— Alex Veiga, Fortune, 9 July 2026
Preliminary Flightradar24 data showed the plane first losing altitude before briefly climbing.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 9 July 2026

Definition of climb

Verb

Lots of acorns one year means lots of mice the next, which gives baby ticks a greater chance of biting a mouse and surviving long enough to bite us.

— Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
But with many of the bosses atop those agencies exiting, a new concern over what that may mean is starting.

— Chris Tye, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Definition of mean

Verb

Southern California will face its hottest day of the year Wednesday as temperatures soar into the triple digits across much of the region and forecasters warn that dangerous heat will continue through Thursday.

— City News Service, Daily News, 15 July 2026
The Golden State Valkyries are the WNBA’s hottest team, having won a franchise-record seven consecutive games to soar to near the top of the league’s standings.

— Darren Sabedra, Mercury News, 15 July 2026

Definition of soar

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aspirations

aspire

aspired

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“Aspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspire. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of aspire

verb

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