aspire

[ uh-spahyuhr ]

verb (used without object)

, as·pired, as·pir·ing.

1. to long, aim, or seek ambitiously; be eagerly desirous, especially for something great or of high value (usually followed by to, after, or an infinitive):

   to aspire after literary immortality; to aspire to be a doctor.

   Synonyms: yearn

2. Archaic. to rise up; soar; mount; tower.

aspire

/ əˈspaɪə /

verb

1. usually foll byto or after to yearn (for) or have a powerful or ambitious plan, desire, or hope (to do or be something)

   to aspire to be a great leader

2. to rise to a great height

Derived Forms

• asˈpiring, adjective
• asˈpirer, noun

Other Words From

• as·pirer noun
• as·piring·ly adverb
• nonas·piring adjective
• unas·piring adjective
• unas·piring·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspire¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French aspirer, from Latin aspīrāre “to breathe upon, pant after,” from a- a- ⁵ + spīrāre “to breathe, blow”

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspire¹

C15: from Latin aspīrāre to breathe upon, from spīrāre to breathe

Synonym Study

See ambitious

Example Sentences

Until now, he didn’t have the awareness or the nerve to aspire to such potency.

From Washington Post

A judge later ruled that Grindr could not be held responsible, citing Section 230 — a mistake, in Warner’s view, that his bill aspires to fix.

From Washington Post

The fact that services like these — the new generation of robocalls, as it were — can sound “lifelike”, like actual humans, has been something that consumer versions have aspired to, although that hasn’t always worked out for the best.

From TechCrunch

By the end of 2025, GM aspires to have 40 percent of its US fleet composed of battery-electric cars, and have zero pollutants coming out of new light duty cars’ tailpipes by 2035.

From Popular-Science

Because of that burden, they usually don’t aspire to that level of detail unless their research question absolutely requires it.

From Quanta Magazine

As Americans, we should absolutely aspire to more than that.

From The Daily Beast

Cheerleaders fall in love with freaks, jocks aspire to be indie musicians, and relationships are in a constant state of flux.

From The Daily Beast

Most bands these days aspire to reproduce their recordings on stage as faithfully as possible.

From The Daily Beast

My deepest desire is that my work will help people aspire to the life those kinds of images evoke.

From The Daily Beast

Our research indicates they can end up having a similar effect to an 'in-group' in high school that others aspire to join.

From The Daily Beast

I must aspire to the agitating transports of self-devotion, in scenes of sacrifice and peril!

From Project Gutenberg

To imitate finite excellence, is to aspire at excellence, even though but in part.

From Project Gutenberg

And why should good men claim for it the character of an ordinance of God, to which even of itself it does not aspire?

From Project Gutenberg

He made the profession of a teacher the most honorable calling to which a citizen could aspire.

From Project Gutenberg

At a time when money might aspire to everything, the millionaire's dreams had nothing very exorbitant.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crave
• pursue
• strive
• yearn