aspire
Verb
Easy difficulty
What does “aspire” mean?
verb.to direct one's hopes or ambitions toward achieving something.
SAT Usage
The term is often found in passages discussing personal goals, ambitions, or societal progress. It emphasizes a strong desire to achieve something significant, distinguishing it from similar words like "wish," which implies a more passive longing rather than an active pursuit.
Common Confusions
Aspire implies a proactive pursuit of goals and ambitions, while hope usually suggests a more passive feeling of desire for something to happen.
Do not choose aspire if the context emphasizes a lack of ambition or hope rather than directing one's hopes or ambitions toward achieving something.
Example Sentences
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He aspires to become a successful doctor.
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Many students aspire to attend prestigious universities after graduation.
Word Parts: How to Remember “aspire”
Break “aspire” into its parts: ad- (to, toward). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.
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Prefix:
ad-to, toward (Latin)