aspire
3 synonyms and 1 antonym for aspire, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To have a strong ambition or hope to achieve something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
shoot for
draw a bead on
Antonyms
How to use aspire
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
aspire to become
aspire to greatness
Etymology
From Latin aspirare, literally "to breathe toward" — the idea of reaching or striving toward a goal.
Full origin of aspire →Frequently asked questions
What does “aspire” mean?
The word “aspire” means to have a strong ambition or hope to achieve something. In plain terms, to hope and work toward achieving something meaningful.
How do you pronounce “aspire”?
“Aspire” is pronounced uh-SPEYE-uh (/əˈspaɪɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “aspire” in a sentence?
Here is “aspire” used in a sentence: “She aspires to run her own business one day.”
What part of speech is “aspire”?
“Aspire” is a verb.
Where does the word “aspire” come from?
The word “aspire” comes from Latin. From Latin aspirare, literally "to breathe toward" — the idea of reaching or striving toward a goal.
Is “aspire” a common word?
“Aspire” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
