as in ambitious
having a strong desire for personal advancement
an aspiring young pianist eager to win the prestigious competition
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
2
as in rising
to move or extend upward
a tower aspiring towards the heavens
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aspiring
Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
But how to plant tulip bulbs has often proved to be a mystery to aspiring gardeners.
—Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2026
Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Some have gone further, publicly chewing khat on the campaign trail, a gesture that signals solidarity and which has become something of a ritual in Kenyan electoral cycles, with aspiring leaders competing to demonstrate the sincerity of their commitment to khat farmers and traders.
—Joseph Maina, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aspiring
Adjective
After playing baseball in college and a short stint in the minors, Lewis started his own business to help other aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those who had been incarcerated or in gangs, to launch their own companies, his son said.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
But how to plant tulip bulbs has often proved to be a mystery to aspiring gardeners.
—Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
The book was made into a documentary by Vlasis’ daughter, who is an aspiring filmmaker.
—Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Some have gone further, publicly chewing khat on the campaign trail, a gesture that signals solidarity and which has become something of a ritual in Kenyan electoral cycles, with aspiring leaders competing to demonstrate the sincerity of their commitment to khat farmers and traders.
—Joseph Maina, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aspiring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspiring
Adjective
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Born in Naples in 1943, the son of a seamstress and a railway employee who was also an accomplished and ambitious painter, Starnone began his working life as a schoolteacher.—
Tim Parks,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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The grant also supported an ambitious effort to bring the wild descendants of McCloud salmon back to California from New Zealand.—
Rachel Becker,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After suffering a brutal knockout at UFC Seattle, Maycee Barber is already planning her comeback.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Mar. 2026
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Browne’s family is planning an event honoring him in mid-May.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On his goal, Thomas swooped into the middle lane to dust McTavish and receive a slick feed from Broberg that sent him toward a vulnerable Dostál with speed for a rising shot.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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Will the retirement age keep rising?—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tucker and her then-boyfriend, Daniel Ryan Garrett, broke into Dean’s apartment intending to steal motorcycle parts.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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On July 16, 1999, Kennedy sat in the pilot’s seat of his single-engine plane, intending to drop off sister-in-law Lauren in Martha's Vineyard before continuing to Hyannis Port with his wife for cousin Rory Kennedy's wedding.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Walt Disney Company’s CEO transition is notable not just for who is ascending, but for how deliberately the company built financial stability around it by extending CFO Hugh Johnston’s contract months before a new CEO was even named.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
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For the past three seasons, Carlsbad High School has been ascending the ranks of girls lacrosse.—
Clark Fahrenthold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The district is also looking at how to pay for aging equipment including heating, ventilation and air conditioning, which could require at least $500,000 in budget increases.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
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Rabell said Hernandez’s mother, who lived at the property and ran it with her boyfriend, brought her before at least one ALF owner who was looking for a new resident.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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To get on a bus is to spend some time climbing aboard, or being pushed from behind, or being pulled up by the armpit.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
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This weekend the heat is back, with inland valleys climbing into the mid-80s and San Francisco on track to hit 80 degrees for the eighth or ninth time this year.—
Greg Porter,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That’s well short of the $12,500 the ad predicted — but destination popularity, seasonality and transportation can send costs soaring.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
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The design is modern and clean-lined with soaring peaked ceilings, lots of dark wood, soothing white and neutral accents and, importantly, private outdoor space.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aspiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspiring. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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