Definition of ambitionnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word ambition different from other nouns like it?

The words aspiration and pretension are common synonyms of ambition. While all three words mean "strong desire for advancement," ambition applies to the desire for personal advancement or preferment and may suggest equally a praiseworthy or an inordinate desire.

driven by ambition

When would aspiration be a good substitute for ambition?

Although the words aspiration and ambition have much in common, aspiration implies a striving after something higher than oneself.

an aspiration to become president someday

In what contexts can pretension take the place of ambition?

In some situations, the words pretension and ambition are roughly equivalent. However, pretension suggests ardent desire for recognition of accomplishment often without actual possession of the necessary ability and therefore may imply presumption.

has literary pretensions

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ambition The company combined with CEO Elon Musk’s xAI earlier this year with the ambition to eventually launch data centers into space. David Goldman, CNN Money, 16 June 2026 Compare that to what Qatar has built at Paris Saint-Germain — a Champions League infrastructure and a global brand — and the gap between ambition and results is clear. Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 16 June 2026 The ambition is to enhance rather than disrupt the creative and address the growing demand for faster and more efficient pipelines. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 June 2026 The quartet’s ambitions with Black Harbour include bringing more production to British Columbia as producers look to shoot locally from project development to delivery, whether on budgeting, scheduling, and crew management through to studio-level negotiations financing models. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ambition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambition
Noun
  • Apart from a few lingering entries in the sport sedan segment, there aren’t really any stick-shift cars out there with highfalutin aspirations.
    Byron Hurd, The Drive, 18 June 2026
  • For a team with championship aspirations, having a player like Chen emerge as a dependable option is the kind of depth that wins in June and July.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • The new partnership marks the most ambitious collaboration between HRTS and Easterseals Disability Services to date, with the organizations previously joining forces on numerous initiatives aiming to improve accessibility in the entertainment industry and authentic representation on screen.
    Arushi Jacob, Variety, 18 June 2026
  • This article is part of The Times’ early childhood education initiative, focusing on the learning and development of California children from birth to age 5.
    Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • His goal is to inspire people to get outside.
    Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 23 June 2026
  • Messi, 38, recorded his 17th and 18th career World Cup goals in a 2-0 victory over Austria at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
    David K. Li, NBC news, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • The most noticeable change in Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s oversight of the central bank, compared to his predecessor, Jerome Powell, is his determination to reform the institution.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
  • The Secretary of State’s Office made the determination Tuesday.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • Bench players Luis Romo and Armando González, who also saw action in the opener, also play for Chivas.
    Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
  • One of the biggest federal student loan changes in decades is scheduled to take effect July 1, and Parent PLUS borrowers urgently need to take action before that or face irreversible consequences, experts said.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • Sheriff's officials said a detailed investigation determined three employees used the system for non-law enforcement purposes, violating both agency policy and Georgia law.
    Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 23 June 2026
  • Protect your space, then re-engage with purpose.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Well, that gives me all the more motivation to bust right through that thing.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
  • This decline deprives teens of vital skill development, work experience, and motivation, fostering pessimism among Gen Z.
    Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • There is a psychological drive to try to get a second chance at doing something that didn't turn out well the first time.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 21 June 2026
  • The property is near the Palmeraie—a palm tree oasis planted in the 11th century—about a 15-20 minute drive from the heart of Marrakesh, including key sites like the medina, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, and the Bahia Palace.
    Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ambition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambition. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

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