: of, relating to, or characterized by aspiration
aspirational goals
: such as
a
: having or showing a desire to achieve a high level of success or social status
… private schools are patronised … by parents struggling to produce intelligent, clear-thinking, disciplined, polite, aspirational children …—Katie Grant
b
: associated with or suggestive of a high level of success and social status and therefore appealing to people who aspire to such status
aspirational brands/products
aspirationally adverb

Examples of aspirational in a Sentence

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.
But as with pretty much every other aspirational project related to human spaceflight, let alone otherworldly settlement, this one has its critics, too. — Lee Billings, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026 Affection for it has seen a major surge in the decade since, especially among younger viewers, who see it as aspirational as well as endlessly quotable and meme-able. — Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026 Asked whether Vuitton needed to take more drastic action to win back aspirational consumers, who have deserted the luxury sector in droves, Cabanis cautioned against lowering prices. — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026 But aspects such as strong characters, emotional investment, aspirational and authentic journeys, contemporary tensions, real moral dilemmas and complex relationships are what keep you there. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aspirational

Word History

Etymology

aspiration + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aspirational was in 1866

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aspirational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aspirational. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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