ASPIRES Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

aspires

verb

present tense third-person singular of aspire

as in intends

to have in mind as a purpose or goal aspire to great deeds, and you have a better chance of doing good deeds

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as in rises

to move or extend upward a tower aspiring towards the heavens

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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 aspires Creator Jesse McKeown’s limited series (which allows room to expand into an ongoing series, as needed) aspires to be little more than entertainment. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026 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 Rhode aspires to be the fastest beauty brand ever to surpass $1 billion in net sales. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 Kevin Warsh aspires to be a Federal Reserve chair of few words. — Ramesh Ponnuru, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2026 At the center of it all is an electrifying performance by Robert Pattinson as Hansen, a man who aspires to powerful anchor machismo but is slowly falling apart. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2026 The chaotic, violence-laden sequence is but the first of many in a film that aspires to classic Hollywood action movie status but reduces its effectiveness through overkill of both the literal and figurative kind. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspires

Verb

Still, the department intends to send letters to current driver license or identification card holders potentially affected that will offer complimentary identity and credit monitoring services and $1 million identity theft insurance for 1 year.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
The Japanese automaker intends to implement DWPT technology in the logistics and transportation industries in the first phase.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of intends

Verb

The agreement comes as electricity demand rises across the United States, driven partly by expanding data centers, manufacturing and electrification.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Dyerville Loop Road begins along the Eel River in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, then rises into the foothills of Humboldt County, California before dropping back down to the river near Fort Seward.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of rises

Verb

Whether Musk plans to build (or buy) another wireless network or pressure the incumbents to strike deals with SpaceX, the telecoms' oligopoly is looking shakier.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
Paramount plans to upgrade the theater with state-of-the-art projection systems and in-seat food and drink service, Rick Caruso, whose company owns the Palisades Village shopping center where the Bay Theater is located, said in an interview.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of plans

Verb

Rising over Beira Lake, Colombo Lotus Tower in South Asia ascends 1,168 feet and is designed to resemble a blooming lotus, a symbol of purity and renewal in Sri Lankan culture.

— Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Washington’s offensive line poses too many questions even if Daniels ascends.

— Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of ascends

Verb

The Congolese government aims to take over by next year, but has struggled with the recent uncertainty, said Polydor Kabila, coordinator of the universal healthcare program in the president's office.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
To help close that gap, the Netherlands aims to build 7 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2050.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of aims

Verb

The result is a modest but welcome increase in output, which climbs from 370 hp to 388 hp, while torque remains unchanged at 331 ft lbs.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Risk climbs with the amount consumed, and women who drink are advised to limit intake to no more than one drink per day.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of climbs

Verb

Designed by French icons Jean Nouvel and the late Thierry Despont, the property soars 1,050 feet over bustling Midtown Manhattan and the Museum of Modern Art.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Under Baizhan’s shanyrak, a spiral of ceramic swallows and poppies soars toward the sky.

— Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of soars

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

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Synonyms of aspires

verb

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