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

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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 The movie, set in 1986, follows the two Pearl brothers, Irwin (Teller) and Gary (Driver), who are aspiring toward middle-class success in the outer boroughs. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 16 July 2026 But the movie is part of an awkward legacy in Hollywood, which tends to celebrate stories about civil rights and inequality that center the white perspective (in The Help, Emma Stone’s aspiring journalist is the hero). — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2026 If aspiring writers are always a little ridiculous, immigrant aspiring writers are full-fledged comedy acts. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026 These men, each aspiring to become king, hope to bully her into marrying. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for aspire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspire

Verb

Instead, his address was intended to pressure Senate Republicans into passing the SAVE Act, a federal election reform bill.

— Editorial, Boston Herald, 27 July 2026
Laptops are generally seen as major purchases intended for long-term use.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of intend

Verb

That could be a bad sign for Everton Blair, the former Gwinnett County School Board chairman who needs a strong turnout from his home county in order to rise to the top of the five-person contest.

— Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 24 July 2026
The number of victims is expected to keep rising as people desperately dig through the rubble, with little help from authorities.

— Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

Not a bright idea For his study, Hainaut, who has worked as an astronomer for ESO for over 30 years, set out to simulate the locations, motion, and brightness of all existing and planned satellite constellations.

— Chris Young July 28, Refractor, 28 July 2026
But the Ship upper stage hit all of its marks, successfully deploying 20 next-gen Starlink satellites, re-igniting one of its Raptor engines in space as planned and splashing down softly off the coast of Western Australia.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of plan

Verb

On a relatively short runway, the plane roared to life and gradually ascended to about 1,000 feet.

— Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
And in all the Alpe d’Huez hype, it shouldn’t be overlooked that Evenepoel is now one of just five men to ascend the Alpe in under 38 minutes.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Definition of ascend

Verb

Errol Spence hasn't fought in three years, but the former world champion is climbing back into the ring on Saturday to take on another former champ in Tim Tszyu.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
But prices will continue to climb if the status quo remains, according to Daan Struyven, head of oil research at Goldman Sachs.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

Definition of climb

Verb

Planning Director Cori Reaume told the council that the specific use permits means city staff would consider noise, water systems and effects of data centers on adjacent properties.

— Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
Florida’s attempt to crack down on cashless businesses During the pandemic, many businesses turned to contactless payment — meaning electronic payment through a device.

— Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 28 July 2026

Definition of mean

Verb

Shell’s latest quarterly profits soared to their second-highest levels in the company’s history as the US-Iran war caused a surge in global oil prices.

— Salma Arafa, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
The small-cap gene editing company’s shares soared 67% to $25, before falling back to $18 at Tuesday’s close.

— Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of soar

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aspirations

aspire

aspired

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“Aspire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspire. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of aspire

verb

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