aspire
verb (used without object)
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).
have been aspiring
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present perfect progressiveof aspire.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Most seem to have been aspiring to emulate the musical “Cabaret” rather than the invasion of Poland.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 25, 2026
He would have been aspiring in imagination, although he was not ambitious by character.
From Raphael Pages of the Book of Life at Twenty by Alphonse de Lamartine
I have been aspiring to great honours since I wrote to you last, to wit the F.R.S., and found no little to my astonishment that I had a chance of it, and so went in.
From Life and Letters of Thomas Henry Huxley — Volume 1 by Thomas Henry Huxley
