AMBITION Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ambition

noun

am-ˈbi-shən

Definition of ambition next

as in aspiration

eager desire for personal advancement "Talent without ambition will not make you a star," the singer's voice coach liked to remind her

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as in initiative

readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity the ambition shown by the undersea explorers of the Mariana Trench, the deepest in the world

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as in goal

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish his ambition is to study international business, then get a job overseas

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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 Defense Ministry statement didn't mention Trump's ambitions. —

Bradford Betz, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2025 Notice which calendar items don’t suit the ambition of the current version of you. —

Jodie Cook, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025 The brand expanded into footwear in the spring of 2023 with its ambitions set on practicality rather than a particular aesthetic. —

Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 17 Jan. 2025 In order for SpaceX to reach its ambition for the ship to become rapidly reusable, with minimal or no refurbishment between flights, the heat shield must be resilient and durable. —

Ars Technica, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for ambition

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambition

Noun

Erik Gordon, a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business who follows the auto industry, said Biden’s 2021 order was a signal of EV aspirations while Trump’s revocation is a signal of EV realities.

— Eric D. Lawrence, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025
Yep, the Hornets, a Big Sky program with Pac-12 aspirations, are ranked in the top 40 under new head coach Brennan Marion.

— Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025