aspire

1 of 2

verb

as·​pire ə-ˈspī(-ə)r How to pronounce aspire (audio)
aspired; aspiring
Synonyms of aspire

intransitive verb

1
: to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal
She aspired to a career in medicine.
2
: ascend, soar
aspirer noun

aspirer

2 of 2

noun

aspir·​er
ə-ˈspī-rər, 
-ˈspī-ər-ər also a-
plural -s
: one that aspires

Synonyms of aspire

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Verb

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Examples of aspire in a Sentence

Verb aspire to great deeds, and you have a better chance of doing good deeds a tower aspiring towards the heavens
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Many who aspire to help others do so from a place of personal connection, and this is no less true for Desiree Kashey. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 1 July 2026 The more Alois Hitler pushed him toward a civil servant career, the more Adolf aspired to become an artist. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026 Many millennials, Gen Zers and the even-younger Gen Alpha no longer aspire to achieve what their parents did, says Pollak. — Jennifer Liu ashton Jackson, CNBC, 29 June 2026 Deep Light is, of course, not the only hub for cinematographers and aspiring cinematographers online. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for aspire

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French aspirer, from Latin aspirare, literally, to breathe upon, from ad- + spirare to breathe

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aspire was in the 14th century

Rhymes for aspire

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Browse Nearby Words

aspirator
aspire
aspirer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aspire. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

aspire

verb
as·​pire ə-ˈspī(ə)r How to pronounce aspire (audio)
aspired; aspiring
: to work to get something high or great
aspirer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on aspire

Nglish: Translation of aspire for Spanish Speakers

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