as in ambitious
having a strong desire for personal advancement
an aspiring young pianist eager to win the prestigious competition
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of aspiring
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
For aspiring homeowners, the upsurge in borrowing costs is a major headache.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Smooth Nzewi, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
Anne Hathaway played the main character, an aspiring journalist who bags a job at a major fashion magazine, despite having no interest in fashion herself.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aspiring
Adjective
Presumably, many aspiring writers want to do the same.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
For aspiring homeowners, the upsurge in borrowing costs is a major headache.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
From my own experience, art biennials in Africa are the go-to for emerging artists, cultural producers, and aspiring curators to introduce or announce themselves, to see and be seen.
—Smooth Nzewi, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
Anne Hathaway played the main character, an aspiring journalist who bags a job at a major fashion magazine, despite having no interest in fashion herself.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aspiring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspiring
Adjective
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The agency has even more ambitious plans in the years ahead — including putting boots down on the moon just a couple of years from now.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
11 Apr. 2026
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The actress puts her Broadway chops to good use as the ambitious perfectionist (and Barbra Streisand obsessive) Rachel Berry on Glee, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for the role.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One of the men accused of planning a mass shooting at a Pontiac, Michigan, high school graduation last June learned his fate in court on Tuesday.—
Alysia Burgio,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Lively seems to be planning a dragon attack, as referenced in her lengthy statement released after Baldoni's recent court win.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But there are concerns about rising ticket prices and soaring production budgets, fueled by higher costs for labor, materials and energy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
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The group announced the new mutual aid market on social media, citing community concerns over rising costs as the motivation behind the move.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tucker and her then-boyfriend, Daniel Ryan Garrett, broke into Dean’s apartment intending to steal motorcycle parts.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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On July 16, 1999, Kennedy sat in the pilot’s seat of his single-engine plane, intending to drop off sister-in-law Lauren in Martha's Vineyard before continuing to Hyannis Port with his wife for cousin Rory Kennedy's wedding.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With right guard Tate Ratledge looking like an ascending young talent, Sewell’s services might be needed more on the left side, where third-year guard Christian Mahogany is coming off a disappointing sophomore season.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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Also in 1975, what would become the CIA World Factbook went public, ascending as a reliable research tool often recommended in class projects.—
Laurie Kellman,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Emergency workers in Beirut spent the day looking for any survivors after Israel launched airstrikes into Lebanon's capital on Wednesday, targeting Hezbollah.—
Marissa Sulek,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
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The formula also includes peptides to soften lines, cocoa extract to provide antioxidant protection, and chronocyclin, a skincare ingredient that helps boost vitamin D in the skin for more youthful-looking, bouncy skin.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Overall, while 11 of the 25 most common grocery staples fell in price in the last two years, the food items that are climbing have offset those savings, the analysis showed.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
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Lionsgate’s Laurel Pecchia is climbing at the Hollywood studio with a promotion to senior vp, corporate communications.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But there are concerns about rising ticket prices and soaring production budgets, fueled by higher costs for labor, materials and energy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
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Government officials blame soaring prices on the Middle East conflict restricting global oil exports.—
Brian Melley,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aspiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspiring. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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