ASPIRE Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

aspire

verb

ə-ˈspī(-ə)r

Definition of aspire

as in to intend

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

Relevance

as in to rise

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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of aspire Turturro’s title character could be seen as a hero for those aspiring to an analog life. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Feldman, a former real estate attorney turned luxury developer, had aspired to join the ranks of the old-line New York real estate families like the Zeckendorfs and the Dursts. — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 21 Oct. 2026 Often serving as playable resumes, homebrew games give aspiring designers a chance to flex their creative muscles without the licensing restrictions that come with producing commercial machines. — ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026 Marc came from the apparel industry and had an unsuccessful run as a Republican candidate for the Connecticut State Senate in 2018; Heidi was a former model and personal trainer; and Dixie, three years older than Charli, was an aspiring singer. — Nancy Jo Sales, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aspire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspire

Verb

These changes were intended to support the long-distance challenge, which required multiple crossings rather than a single uninterrupted run in one direction.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
The throw was intended for Jaxon Smith-Njigba but Williams made the interception.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of intend

Verb

A couple of sections in the shade, on the home sideline, rose a bit more than 3%.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
But then shipping disruptions, rising fuel costs, and steep international tariffs made exporting increasingly difficult, prompting Yu to turn her attention to building a domestic market.

— Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

James scored 18 points, grabbed two rebounds and was a minus-22 going up against Paul Reed, and the 76ers were left to hope his presence at center was nothing more than a cameo.

— Dan Gelston, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Some Republican lawmakers hope the ballot question will encourage more people to vote.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of hope

Verb

Yields have been generally climbing there because of worries about the government's big debt load and strained budget.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Yields have been generally climbing there because of worries about the government’s big debt load and strained budget.

— Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of climb

Verb

But his planning doesn’t mean that the tax would survive the courts, and in any case, not every billionaire will necessarily make similar arrangements.

— Ramesh Ponnuru, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Winning means making much tougher decisions about what to put on the floor.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of mean

Verb

The trend marks a stark turn from earlier this decade, when sellers often received well above their asking price as home shoppers empowered by rock-bottom mortgage rates fueled a buying frenzy that sent home prices soaring.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Since October 7th, antisemitic acts have soared, from fewer than five hundred incidents in 2022 to more than fifteen hundred in 2023 and again in 2024, with thirteen hundred and twenty acts reported last year.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of soar

Browse Nearby Words

aspirations

aspire

aspired

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Style

“Aspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspire. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of aspire

verb

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