aspire

verb

as·​pire ə-ˈspī(-ə)r 

aspired; aspiring

intransitive verb

1

: to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal

She aspired to a career in medicine.

2

: ascend, soar

aspirer noun

Synonyms of aspire

• intend
• plan
• hope
• mean
• aim
• wish
• go

Examples of aspire in a Sentence

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

Recently released from prison, coach Walt Mangian joins a local youth gym to help a ragtag team of adolescent boxers aspiring to a national championship. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026

For just as long, Poulakidas aspired to play in the NBA. —Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

Asher Bende plans to major in music education and aspires to become a music educator. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

Despite Lea's health and differences, her parents, aspiring actors who opened a dinner theater in Duluth, saw possibility, not limitations. —Eileen Finan, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for aspire

• admire
• afire
• backfire
• esquire
• expire
• haywire
• hellfire
• inquire
• inspire
• newswire
• perspire
• rehire

Kids Definition

aspire

verb

as·​pire ə-ˈspī(ə)r 

aspired; aspiring

: to work to get something high or great

aspirer noun