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Definition of aspire

aspire

/əˈspaɪər/
as · pire
Adverb:aspiringly
•
Adjective:aspiring
•
Past Simple:aspired
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Past Participle:aspired
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Present Participle:aspiring
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aspire Lexical Profile

aspire Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To direct one's hopes or ambitions toward achieving a significant goal or worthy endeavor.

Example

"Many young medical students aspire to become pioneering researchers in their chosen fields."

2

To rise high, tower, or mount upward (used primarily in literary or poetic contexts).

Example

"The Gothic cathedral's slender stone spires seemed to aspire toward the clouds."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for aspire
Antonyms
View all antonyms for aspire

Word Nuance & Usage

'Aspire' is an intransitive verb and is almost always followed by the preposition 'to' (followed by a noun or an infinitive verb) or occasionally 'after' or 'toward'.

• Rhymes for aspire

• Nearby Words

aspirational
aspirationally
aspirator
aspire
aspirer
aspirin
aspiring

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French aspirer, from Latin aspirare ('to breathe upon, pant after, strive to reach'), formed from ad- ('to') and spirare ('to breathe').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Aspire. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/aspire
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