aspiring 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈspī-riŋ How to pronounce aspiring (audio)
Definition of aspiringnext
as in ambitious
having a strong desire for personal advancement an aspiring young pianist eager to win the prestigious competition

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

aspiring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of aspire
1
as in planning
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
2
as in rising
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 aspiring
Adjective
The couple married in 2008, and Siebel Newsom was quickly cast in the role of stabilizing force, an attractive, wealthy, and engaged political partner for an aspiring politician. — Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026 The ensemble was large and disparate, from the aforementioned Texas cheerleader, to an aspiring politician in upstate New York and an office worker in Tokyo. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
Once artificial intelligence was everywhere with the 2022 introduction of ChatGPT, companies of all sizes and even aspiring entrepreneurs with no tech background suddenly had an unprecedented ability to build software quickly. — Srinivas Velamoor, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026 Why Weinstein is being sentenced a second time Weinstein was originally sentenced to 23 years in prison after a jury convicted him of assaulting Haley and raping an aspiring actress, Jessica Mann, in 2013. — Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aspiring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspiring
  1. ambitious
  2. planning
  3. rising
  4. intending
  5. ascending
  6. looking
  7. climbing
  8. aiming
Adjective
  • Owners generally do not want their locations disclosed, experienced builders work under strict nondisclosure agreements, and the industry is full of ambitious claims that are difficult to verify.
    — Megan Buerger, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
  • La Galerie Du 19M Shanghai Chanel’s Le19M creative hub has traveled to Shanghai for the first time with an ambitious exhibition that brings the brand’s unique production system to life via the work of Chinese artists, makers, and craftsmen.
    — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of ambitious
Verb
  • Prince William and Prince Harry are both reportedly planning to honor the 30th anniversary of their mother, Princess Diana’s, death.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Democrats have warned in recent months that Trump is planning to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents or the National Guard to polling stations, as the president has made election security one of his key objectives in his second term.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of planning
Verb
  • The travel-retail business is expected to continue rising due to a confluence of other factors, including the 4 to 5 percent yearly increase of travelers.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Super El Niño impact Inflation in India has been rising for 10 straight months, crossing the central bank's medium-term target of 4% in August, even as economic growth has been resilient so far.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of rising
Verb
  • In June 2022, a man traveled from California to Kavanaugh’s home in Maryland with a handgun, ammunition, a knife, and zip ties, intending to kill the justice.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Musk originally developed Starship for Mars, intending to launch scores of them with the red planet’s first settlers.
    — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of intending
Verb
  • Even—perhaps especially—for a Beltway outsider, ascending the American political ladder requires a tremendous amount of glad-handing and personal magnetism, if not charm.
    — Jonathan A. Czin, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Since the creation of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) in 2011, there have been four categories of academies, each requiring an ascending level of investment and support staff.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of ascending
Verb
  • Overcast Milan was looking even grayer than I’d have liked, but I was heartened by a gracious welcome at the Park Hyatt, tucked away on a side street of the Piazza del Duomo.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • But looking closer, across the genome, something unusual showed up.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of looking
Verb
  • Testosterone replacement therapy prescriptions are climbing fast, and the men on them are no longer whispering about it.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Some neighbors captured video showing people climbing from a third-floor window and fleeing the scene.
    — Abby Dodge, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of climbing
Verb
  • Since fashion businesses are aiming to streamline their operations, reduce excess inventory and improve forecasting, both leaders stress that the adoption of new technologies must lead to concrete commercial outcomes.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Spain has seen an emerging coalition of the conservatives and the far right, which are both aiming to use migration concerns against the prime minister, whose government allowed over 1 million immigrants to apply for legal status.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of aiming

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Cite this Entry

“Aspiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspiring. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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