Aspire — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ə-ˈspī(-ə)r/ as·pire

Meaning & Definition of Aspire

Aspire (verb)

  1. to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal
  2. ascend, soar

Aspire (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to have in mind as a purpose or goal

    "aspire to great deeds, and you have a better chance of doing good deeds"

    similar: aim, allow (chiefly Southern & Midland), calculate, contemplate, design, go (chiefly Southern & Midland), intend, look, mean, meditate, plan, propose, purport, purpose, figure on
    related: dream, hope, wish, consider, debate, mull (over), ponder, attempt, endeavor, strive, struggle, try, plot, scheme, accomplish, achieve, effect, execute, perform

  2. to move or extend upward

    "a tower aspiring towards the heavens"

    similar: arise, ascend, climb, lift, mount, rise, soar, thrust, up, uprear, uprise, upthrust, upturn
    related: surge, tower, boost, elevate, raise, upheave, uplift, upraise, balloon, blast off, take off, zoom, crest, scale, surmount, top, cant, incline, lean, list, recline, slant, slope, tilt, tip
    opposite: decline, descend, dip, drop, fall (off), plunge
    near: dive, nose-dive, plummet, sink, slide

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Aspire

The most common words with a similar meaning to Aspire:

Chiefly Southern & Midland: allow, go
aim, calculate, contemplate, design, intend, look, mean, meditate, plan, propose, purport, purpose, arise, ascend, climb, lift, mount, rise, soar, thrust, up, uprear, uprise, upthrust, upturn, figure on

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Aspire

Words with the opposite meaning of Aspire:

decline, descend, dip, drop, fall (off), plunge

Related Words for Aspire

dream, hope, wish, consider, debate, mull (over), ponder, attempt, endeavor, strive, struggle, try, plot, scheme, accomplish, achieve, effect, execute, perform, surge, tower, boost, elevate, raise, upheave, uplift, upraise, balloon, blast off, take off

Near Antonyms of Aspire

dive, nose-dive, plummet, sink, slide

Word Forms of Aspire

Inflections: aspired, aspiring

Derived words: aspirer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Aspire

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French aspirer, from Latin aspirare, literally, to breathe upon, from ad- + spirare to breathe

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Aspire

Frequently Asked Questions about Aspire

What does "Aspire" mean?

"Aspire" means to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal. As a verb, it is defined as: to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Aspire"?

Other words for "Aspire" include aim, allow, calculate, contemplate, design, go, intend and look. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Aspire" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Aspire"?

There are 72 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Aspire". Common alternatives include aim, allow, calculate, contemplate, design, go, intend, look, mean and meditate.

What is the opposite of "Aspire"?

Antonyms of "Aspire" include decline, descend, dip, drop, fall (off) and plunge. Near antonyms include dive, nose-dive, plummet and sink.

How do you use "Aspire" in a sentence?

Examples of "Aspire" in a sentence: "aspire to great deeds, and you have a better chance of doing good deeds"; "a tower aspiring towards the heavens".

Is "Aspire" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Aspire" is a verb.

Is "Aspire" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Aspire" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Aspire"?

"Aspire" is pronounced /ə-ˈspī(-ə)r/ and divided into syllables as as·pire.