aspire

[ uh-spahyuhr ]

/ əˈspaɪər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR aspire ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), as·pired, as·pir·ing.

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.

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

Words nearby aspire

aspiration biopsy, aspiration pneumonia, aspirational, aspirator, aspiratory, aspire, aspirin, asplanchnic, asplenia, asplenium, asprawl

Origin of aspire

1425–75; late Middle English (< Middle French aspirer) < Latin aspīrāre to breathe upon, pant after, equivalent to a- a-⁵ + spīrāre to breathe, blow

SYNONYMS FOR aspire

1 yearn.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR aspire ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM aspire

as·pir·er, nounas·pir·ing·ly, adverbnon·as·pir·ing, adjectiveun·as·pir·ing, adjective

un·as·pir·ing·ly, adverb

synonym study for aspire

1. See ambitious

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for aspire

Most bands these days aspire to reproduce their recordings on stage as faithfully as possible.
Is Jack White the Last True Rock Star?|Andrew Romano|June 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If we aspire to that personally and legislate for it publicly, the ugliness will dissipate.
In Gay Rights Fights, Bullies Love to Play the Victim|Tim Teeman|April 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is not a pretty city, in the conventional western understanding of a pretty city, and it does not want or aspire to be.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Literary Lagos|Henry Krempels|March 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Saying “no” is a crucial prophylactic for cities that aspire to keep their politics clean.
Two Huge Choices for Toronto's Future|David Frum|April 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST

These policies produced “growth on a scale to which we can aspire today.”
Does Calvin Coolidge Deserve a Reassessment?|Ira Katznelson|February 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They had no assertiveness, so could not aspire to a managerial position, such as might eventually fall to the share of Nelly.
A Bed of Roses|W. L. George
The rest of the cunies, being considered my slaves, could not aspire to office of any sort under the crown.
The Jacket (The Star-Rover)|Jack London
A young man of your class may aspire to the highest honours.
The Village Notary|Jzsef Etvs
To imitate finite excellence, is to aspire at excellence, even though but in part.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
Gayety, wit, and ingenuity are their ruling character: they aspire not to the sublime; still less to the pathetic.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part E.|David Hume

British Dictionary definitions for aspire

aspire

/ (əˈspaɪə) /

verb (intr)

(usually foll by to 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

to rise to a great height

Derived forms of aspire

aspirer, nounaspiring, adjective

Word Origin for aspire

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012