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Aspire vs Inspire - What's the difference?

aspire | inspire |

In intransitive terms the difference between aspire and inspire

is that aspire is to hope or dream; especially to hope or work towards a profession or occupation (followed by to as a preposition or infinitive particle) while inspire is to draw in by the operation of breathing; to inhale.

aspire

English

Verb

  • To hope or dream; especially to hope or work towards a profession or occupation (followed by to as a preposition or infinitive particle ).
  • He aspires to become a successful doctor.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • Aspiring to be angels, men rebel.
  • (obsolete) To aspire to; to long for; to try to reach; to mount to.
  • * Shakespeare
  • That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds.
  • To rise; to ascend; to tower; to soar.
  • * Waller
  • My own breath still foments the fire, / Which flames as high as fancy can aspire .

    Anagrams

    * * * * ----

    inspire

    English

    Verb

    (inspir)
  • To infuse into the mind; to communicate to the spirit; to convey, as by a divine or supernatural influence; to disclose preternaturally; to produce in, as by inspiration.
  • * Bible, Wisdom xv. 11
  • He knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Dawning day new comfort hath inspired .
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2012, month=March-April
  • , author=Anna Lena Phillips , title=Sneaky Silk Moths , volume=100, issue=2, page=172 , magazine=(American Scientist) citation , passage=Last spring, the periodical cicadas emerged across eastern North America. Their vast numbers and short above-ground life spans inspired awe and irritation in humans—and made for good meals for birds and small mammals.}}
  • To infuse into; to affect, as with a superior or supernatural influence; to fill with what animates, enlivens or exalts; to communicate inspiration to.
  • Elders should inspire children with sentiments of virtue.
  • * Dryden
  • Erato, thy poet's mind inspire , / And fill his soul with thy celestial fire.
  • To draw in by the operation of breathing; to inhale.
  • * Harvey
  • forced to inspire and expire the air with difficulty
  • To infuse by breathing, or as if by breathing.
  • (archaic) To breathe into; to fill with the breath; to animate.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • Descend, ye Nine, descend and sing, / The breathing instruments inspire .
  • To spread rumour indirectly.
  • Synonyms

    * (l)

    Antonyms

    * (inhale) expire

    Derived terms

    * inspirer

    Anagrams

    * ----