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
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Recent Examples of aspiring
Gioia Woods, Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, exchange rates and inflation have further affected some aspiring travelers, especially Canadians.
—Frédéric Dimanche, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2026
Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
The aspiring Victoria’s Secret Angel reportedly walked in Paris and Milan fashion weeks as well as at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aspiring
Adjective
Ferlinghetti, who had not yet adopted his immigrant father’s original name, was an aspiring painter, poet, and freelance art critic.
—Gioia Woods, Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, exchange rates and inflation have further affected some aspiring travelers, especially Canadians.
—Frédéric Dimanche, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
Hayes went from aspiring author to accomplished playwright in less than a year.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
The aspiring Victoria’s Secret Angel reportedly walked in Paris and Milan fashion weeks as well as at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aspiring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspiring
Adjective
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China has laid out an ambitious lunar plan to land astronauts on the moon before 2030, targeting the south pole, which contains water ice and other resources critical for long-term lunar exploration and settlement.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
8 Feb. 2026
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His answer is ambitious and old-fashioned.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mayor Michelle Wu says her administration is also planning to boost the city’s annual block-party grants to allow watch parties and festivities to take place across Boston’s neighborhoods.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
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Lawmakers in Congress are planning to bury the commemorative chest in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Lawmakers in European powerhouse Germany have approved a government plan to attract more military recruits as the country tries to boost the ranks of its armed forces in the face of rising concern about the threat posed by Russia.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
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Takaichi had earlier laid out a record $783 billion budget for the next fiscal year starting April 1, on top of a $135 billion stimulus package introduced last year to help households with rising living costs.—
CNBC.com staff,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Without intending, even as the Vietnam War lingered on and the national mood was grim, halftime became classic Americana, a telling mixture of self-parody and pride.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
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Instead, the Bucks are intending to see if a future can be crafted in Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo going forward, or else resume trade negotiations either closer to June’s NBA draft or during the next salary-cap calendar that opens July 1.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Courtesy Chris Rodgers, a photographer and volunteer firefighter, is seen ascending a ladder from a fire truck.—
CBSColorado.com Staff,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
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Set to turn 28 in September, the 2022 first-round pick is an ascending player with plenty of experience and film to grade.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Investigators are looking into every aspect of the case, including how Van Rootselaar got the guns despite her struggles with mental health.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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Goldschmidt, 38 and still looking for a World Series ring, agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract with the Yankees last Friday, just days before pitchers and catchers officially reported to Tampa.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But with no set end date, some workers stay for years, climbing the ranks.—
Miranda Dunlap,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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The stock bounced back some last year, climbing 19%, and is now up 6% in 2026.—
Kristina Partsinevelos,Ari Levy,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And while the technology has fueled soaring profits for companies—and promises to bring profound benefits to society—even top business leaders are doubling down on the need to intentionally preserve human connection.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
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The pair lives on an isolated island in a converted prison, rendered in full coastal gothic mode at Steppenwolf by the set designer Collette Pollard, who makes fine use of the theater’s soaring vertical height.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aspiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspiring. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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