ASPIRES Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

aspires

verb

present tense third-person singular of aspire

as in intends

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

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as in rises

to move or extend upward a tower aspiring towards the heavens

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 aspires Creator Jesse McKeown’s limited series (which allows room to expand into an ongoing series, as needed) aspires to be little more than entertainment. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026 Bryant aspires to become a doctor for a deeply personal reason. — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 What Burnside aspires toward instead is an expression of the place’s spiritual core, some evocation of a regionally specific truth that might explain the percolating rottenness. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026 Tristan Buzzini As a psychologist and advocate, Tristan Buzzini aspires to be a healing presence for others. — The Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026 Rhode aspires to be the fastest beauty brand ever to surpass $1 billion in net sales. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 Kevin Warsh aspires to be a Federal Reserve chair of few words. — Ramesh Ponnuru, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2026 At the center of it all is an electrifying performance by Robert Pattinson as Hansen, a man who aspires to powerful anchor machismo but is slowly falling apart. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2026 The chaotic, violence-laden sequence is but the first of many in a film that aspires to classic Hollywood action movie status but reduces its effectiveness through overkill of both the literal and figurative kind. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspires

Verb

Cornell said Yates will report her findings and recommendations to a special committee of its Board of Trustees, which intends to share the results with the university community.

— Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
There is no indication the charity intends to share its classrooms’ recordings with anybody else, but fears about the potential misuse of surveillance technology are heightened in Gaza after three years of war.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of intends

Verb

The National Weather Service said rainfall was diminishing in the area but that rapid river rises and flooding remained possible.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
How to see the Taurid meteor showers Both showers appear to originate from Taurus, a constellation that rises during the evening and climbs higher into the sky as the night progresses.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of rises

Verb

Whether Musk plans to build (or buy) another wireless network or pressure the incumbents to strike deals with SpaceX, the telecoms' oligopoly is looking shakier.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
Paramount plans to upgrade the theater with state-of-the-art projection systems and in-seat food and drink service, Rick Caruso, whose company owns the Palisades Village shopping center where the Bay Theater is located, said in an interview.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of plans

Verb

Rising over Beira Lake, Colombo Lotus Tower in South Asia ascends 1,168 feet and is designed to resemble a blooming lotus, a symbol of purity and renewal in Sri Lankan culture.

— Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Washington’s offensive line poses too many questions even if Daniels ascends.

— Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of ascends

Verb

In 2025, the company opened a global fragrance atelier in Paris, called La Maison des Paroberfums, which aims to accelerate innovation across its portfolio of fragrance brands including Jo Malone London, Le Labo, Kilian Paris and more.

— Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
The military operation there aims to restore sovereignty and confront the Houthi militia that’s attacking not just Saudi Arabia and Yemen, but the arteries of the global economy.

— Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of aims

Verb

Also in the top 10 of the latest Billboard 200, Drake’s HABIBTI soars 116-2 (returning to its peak) after it was reissued with four additional songs.

— Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 11 Oct. 2026
His delivery is a stark contrast to the recording, which soars almost reluctantly, and his voice is as determined as ever.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of soars

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“Aspires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspires. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of aspires

verb

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