ASPIRING Synonyms: 148 Similar and Opposite Words

aspiring 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈspī-riŋ

Definition of aspiring

as in ambitious

having a strong desire for personal advancement an aspiring young pianist eager to win the prestigious competition

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

aspiring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of aspire

as in planning

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

as in rising

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 aspiring

Adjective

As a young, aspiring writer, Perry yearned for dramatic, painful experiences to give her something to write about. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026 In the show, aspiring singers get the chance to share the stage with some of the country’s biggest artists. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

Verb

Each loving gesture and bashful smile from his aspiring girlfriend Nikki is punctuated by dread, every minute tense and unnerving as her fixation slowly takes a dark turn. — Mariam Bagdady, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026 In the trailer, Bublé and Scott give fans a glimpse into the lives of aspiring NHL players. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aspiring

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspiring

Adjective

Eventually, in 1914, Jo succeeded in publishing Vincent’s letters in an ambitious three-volume book, which today is considered one of the most revealing and important works of art history.

— Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
One of France’s most eminent men of letters, Jean d’Ormesson is on excellent form in this ambitious historical novel.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of ambitious

Verb

Museum will add new west wing The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is planning a major expansion to the west, highlighted by a two-level glass addition topped with a green roof.

— Neil Nakahodo, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
Waymo is planning to expand its service in London, Tokyo, and Munich.

— Andrew Hawkins, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of planning

Verb

Noah Seelam | Afp | Getty Images Fund outflows and a rising energy bill are expected to keep putting pressure on India's rupee, even as the central bank works to slow depreciation.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
John Fogerty, rising singer-songwriter Emma Ogier, and others are slated to open on select dates.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of rising

Verb

The idea is that individuals pursuing their own interests in a free market can, without intending it, advance the interests of society as a whole.

— Linda K. Brown Stroh, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
The plane was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv and was intending to land at Ben Gurion midmorning on a busy weekday.

— Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of intending

Verb

There’s All-WNBA guard Allisha Gray’s quest for a title and Golden State’s Gabby Williams’ ascending stardom.

— Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 14 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of ascending

Verb

Depending on the machine and settings, that material ends up in a purge tower built alongside the print, or in a collection of little plastic doll's-house-looking spaghetti balls, affectionately known as printer poop.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Yet his next leadership election is looking smooth compared with the past couple of bouts to lead the Senate GOP.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of looking

Verb

Bills and costs keep climbing, and households are being forced to stretch budgets that were already tight.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
The initial shock of this freak accident is well-handled, notably when Jay tries to scramble up the whale’s jawline by climbing its teeth.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of climbing

Verb

That was the case with hydraulic mining in the West, which involved aiming a torrent of water under high pressure to blast away soil and boulders to expose the underlying gold veins.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
In addition, Saint Laurent is aiming to double its sales to VICs by 2030, and to double its business in Asia within the same time frame.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of aiming

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aspires

aspiring

asps

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Style

“Aspiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspiring. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of aspiring

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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