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
Peter White, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
Liu tells the stories of four people– a renowned feminist, a gay dating app entrepreneur, an aspiring rapper, and a famous science fiction writer—who all found ways to dance around The Great Firewall and earn success for themselves and for their communities online.
—Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
Teen author redefines empowerment Gen Z isn’t waiting for permission to lead, and author and aspiring journalist Kavya Thakrar is proof.
—Magda Liszewska, Oc Register, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aspiring
Adjective
The series is a look at the 2000s reality TV phenomenon about aspiring models living and competing together, highlighting its many controversial moments.
—Peter White, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
Liu tells the stories of four people– a renowned feminist, a gay dating app entrepreneur, an aspiring rapper, and a famous science fiction writer—who all found ways to dance around The Great Firewall and earn success for themselves and for their communities online.
—Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
Climate video contest Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action is accepting submissions from aspiring filmmakers ages 12-18 from Santa Clara County for its Youth Climate Video Contest.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
Teen author redefines empowerment Gen Z isn’t waiting for permission to lead, and author and aspiring journalist Kavya Thakrar is proof.
—Magda Liszewska, Oc Register, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aspiring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspiring
Adjective
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View gallery - 3 images Over the last few years, an ambitious moonshot project spun out of Google has been developing fascinating technologies to deliver connectivity across communities without the need for underground cables.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
28 Feb. 2026
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During his speech Friday, Parlow highlighted the strength of the school’s various fundraising efforts, including the newest Inspire Campaign, which has raised $480 million in the past three years — just $20 million shy of an ambitious target of $500 million by 2028.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While gardeners often gravitate toward evergreen foliage when planning for year-round color, there are many other sources of beauty to enhance the garden from one season to the next.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 Mar. 2026
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Mia is planning a hopeful birthday party for Alex and Dailyn has her ideas about what that should and should not be.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With concerns rising about lagging childhood literacy rates across the country, Nationwide Children's Hospital has begun screening children's literacy skills starting at age 3 during pediatrician visits.—
MAKIYA SEMINERA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
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Videos geolocated and verified by CNN show a large fire at a residential high-rise building in Bahrain’s capital Manama on Saturday and smoke rising from the vicinity of the Crowne Plaza hotel in the city on Sunday.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With the filing, Hawthorne is seeking to reorganize, ultimately intending to attract a buyer or investor willing to recapitalize the company and restart operations, according to a news release from a public affairs firm representing the racecourse.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
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The Horizon Market opened last August, intending to bring a small neighborhood grocery store to the Tarentum community.—
Christopher DeRose,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Now, bids to the Sweet 16 are becoming routine for the ascending program.—
Myah Taylor,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Feb. 2026
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Canales took a brief break from scouting prospects at Lucas Oil Stadium to attend the first half of the Hornets’ victory over the Pacers, showing support for Lee and his ascending squad, a Panthers spokesperson told The Charlotte Observer.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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One activist said the group is aware of the concerns, as well as worries about noise complaints, but counter that with the changing tactics of ICE agents in their communities, residents are also looking for new, flexible, grassroots ways to alert people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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But the post-Covid inflation surge is clear evidence, in Warsh's view, that the Fed has been looking at the wrong factors.—
Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Rarely is picnicking so decadent or – after climbing the equivalent of 100 floors or more – so gratefully received.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, stocks with less exposure to AI are climbing higher.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The most coveted stays are the suites carved from former racquetball courts—dramatic, loft-like spaces with soaring ceilings that nod to the building’s past.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Mar. 2026
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In December, 2022, President Joe Biden sent a letter to the Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee full of soaring language about how the Presidential-primary calendar should reflect the Party’s highest principles.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aspiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspiring. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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