aspiring

[uh-spahyer-ing]

adjective

1. eagerly or ambitiously aiming for a particular career, title, social status, etc.: a team of aspiring gold medalists.

   an aspiring composer;

   a team of aspiring gold medalists.

Other Word Forms

• aspiringly adverb
• nonaspiring adjective
• unaspiring adjective
• unaspiringly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspiring¹

First recorded in 1575–1595; aspire ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Synonym Study

See ambitious.

Example Sentences

Conciliators and aspiring tyrants alike have long laid claim to Lincoln’s warnings against mob rule.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

With the public markets shunning early-stage biotechs, startups aspiring to an IPO need to advance drugs into clinical trials.

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Throw a rock in San Francisco and you’re likely to hit an aspiring or actual tech company founder with hopes of launching a breakthrough product.

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An aspiring journalist, Jennifer is an empathetic witness not only to Miriam’s struggles but to the hardships and bravery of all the women in the shop.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Portraying yourself as a fresh start is a crucial part of any aspiring presidential candidate’s opening gambit.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• eager 
• would-be