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
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
The protagonist, Otta, is a diver and an aspiring marine biologist.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Capitalizing on the success of La Casa de los Famosos, Telemundo is upping the stakes with a new competition featuring aspiring singers.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for aspiring
Adjective
While aspiring lawyers are allowed two attempts a year at taking the bar, Kardashian reportedly has no plans to try again until at least 2027.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
The protagonist, Otta, is a diver and an aspiring marine biologist.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Verb
What is your advice for an aspiring reality-TV star?
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Capitalizing on the success of La Casa de los Famosos, Telemundo is upping the stakes with a new competition featuring aspiring singers.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for aspiring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspiring
Adjective
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This sort of attention to dessert is otherwise increasingly rare; too many ambitious kitchens pour all their resources into their savory menus and then punt on the sweet courses, serving a scoop of gelato in a fancy coupe, or a slice of cake assembled off-site.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
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To this day, Galaxy and its sequel are the series’ most conceptually ambitious entries.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
9 May 2026
Verb
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French authorities arrested a 27-year-old Tunisian man last Thursday for allegedly planning a terrorist attack at the Louvre in Paris.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
12 May 2026
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Several news outlets reported that Makary resigned on Tuesday, which followed days of reporting that the White House was planning to fire him.—
Annika Kim Constantino,Angelica Peebles,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Sentiment was hurt by the rising price of gas caused by the war, according to survey director Joanne Hsu.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
10 May 2026
-
Our teachers are making an impact every day while working with increasing local demands, rising expectations, and with less state funding.—
Clinton McCracken,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Investigators say Wilson entered through an open garage door intending to steal, but instead encountered Abghari inside.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
Under the system, vessels intending to pass through the strait will receive guidance from an official email address outlining the rules for transit.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
Verb
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The Chargers also return Oronde Gadsden, who proved to be an ascending option in the passing game as a rookie last season.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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Currently, the subsurface heat in the Pacific is moving east across the ocean and ascending to the surface from the deep waters, the initial stages of El Nino.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Plus, the addition of a cuff adds a more polished aesthetic that prevents you from looking frumpy at the office or dinner.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
Its servers are generally older women who, frankly, all seem to be looking forward to the end of their shifts.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Verb
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That frustration rings especially true in Colorado, where insurance premiums have been climbing thanks to escalating wildfire and weather risks, a concern the Hippo report identifies as a major pressure point across the Mountain region.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
9 May 2026
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Texas drivers are seeing another jump at the pump, with gas prices climbing above $4 a gallon statewide for the first time in nearly four years.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Still, that’s something that can be navigated, unlike the industry-wide challenge caused by soaring gold prices.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
10 May 2026
-
With concerns growing over environmental impacts and soaring electricity use, many Americans are none too keen on having a new data center built in their neighborhood.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aspiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspiring. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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