aspirational
adjective
as·pi·ra·tion·al
ˌa-spə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nəl 
: 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
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
The inspo: Each year, the DeHaan Artist of Distinction awards Hoosier contemporary artists grants of up to $10,000 to pursue aspirational projects.
—Justin L. MacK, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025
The Maryland State Board of Education set an aspirational target for Maryland to rank among the top 10 states in reading on the fourth and eighth grade NAEP exams by 2027.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2025
On January 9, the property became even more aspirational when the price-per-month rent increased by $10,000 to $39,999 a month, an increase of 33.3 percent.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
For Chicagoans used to being stuck in traffic, especially on the Kennedy Expressway, the idea of traveling 25 mph might seem merely aspirational.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for aspirational 
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.
Justin L. MacK, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025
The Maryland State Board of Education set an aspirational target for Maryland to rank among the top 10 states in reading on the fourth and eighth grade NAEP exams by 2027.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2025
On January 9, the property became even more aspirational when the price-per-month rent increased by $10,000 to $39,999 a month, an increase of 33.3 percent.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
For Chicagoans used to being stuck in traffic, especially on the Kennedy Expressway, the idea of traveling 25 mph might seem merely aspirational.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for aspirational
Dictionary Entries Near aspirational
Cite this Entry
“Aspirational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aspirational. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share