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 Bryant aspires to become a doctor for a deeply personal reason. — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 What Burnside aspires toward instead is an expression of the place’s spiritual core, some evocation of a regionally specific truth that might explain the percolating rottenness. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026 Tristan Buzzini As a psychologist and advocate, Tristan Buzzini aspires to be a healing presence for others. — The Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026 One challenge, of course, is that most kids don’t grow up aspiring to be an HVAC technician or construction worker. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aspire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspire

Verb

Project Nessie was intended to stop retail price-matching practices from creating unsustainably low prices, the e-commerce giant said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
According to people familiar with discussions about the policy, Bennett’s prior objections were a message intended for his domestic political constituency.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of intend

Verb

The price of Brent crude oil rose to $106 per barrel this morning.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
The milestone arrives at a precarious time for Australia’s festival sector, which has seen a wave of cancellations and closures in recent years amid rising costs and softening ticket sales.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

When the Fondation Cartier exhibition ends, the factory will be returned to Ghana for permanent installation in Kumasi, where Mahama plans to build a new institution.

— Gameli Hamelo, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Cleveland had planned a bullpen game for Friday, with Shawn Armstrong being the opener.

— Joe Reedy, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of plan

Verb

Peter Nagy, an artist who became a star of the East Village in 1980s New York before ascending as one of India’s leading art dealers in the 1990s, has died at 67.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Thousands of people have ascended the mountain from the southeast ridge in Nepal, but only five had ever reached its summit from the North Face.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of ascend

Verb

But at this rate, with a slow division race, all three who played Sunday will hope Washington doesn't shock the football world on Monday night.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Stage a rally to give your fans hope of an improbable comeback … and then literally fumble the game away.

— Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of hope

Verb

Advertisement The day after the raid, the Wilder School District reported absent rates soared, with 20% of students absent, according to The Idaho Statesman.

— Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
The combination of slow growth, high inflation, profligate spending, and soaring debt has stirred a revolt in financial markets.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of soar

Browse Nearby Words

aspirations

aspire

aspired

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“Aspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspire. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of aspire

verb

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