ASPIRATION Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'aspiration' different from other nouns like it?

The words ambition and pretension are common synonyms of aspiration . While all three words mean "strong desire for advancement," aspiration implies a striving after something higher than oneself. // an aspiration to become president someday

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ambition' instead of 'aspiration'?

Although the words ambition and aspiration have much in common, ambition applies to the desire for personal advancement or preferment and may suggest equally a praiseworthy or an inordinate desire. // driven by ambition

Q: In what contexts can 'pretension' take the place of 'aspiration'?

While in some cases nearly identical to aspiration , pretension suggests ardent desire for recognition of accomplishment often without actual possession of the necessary ability and therefore may imply presumption. // has literary pretensions

aspiration

noun

ˌa-spə-ˈrā-shən

Definition of aspiration next

as in ambition

eager desire for personal advancement a combination of aspiration and hard work made her the top tennis player in the state

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in goal

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish college is his immediate aspiration after he graduates from high school

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

The words ambition and pretension are common synonyms of aspiration. While all three words mean "strong desire for advancement," aspiration implies a striving after something higher than oneself.

an aspiration to become president someday

When is it sensible to use ambition instead of aspiration?

Although the words ambition and aspiration have much in common, ambition applies to the desire for personal advancement or preferment and may suggest equally a praiseworthy or an inordinate desire.

driven by ambition

In what contexts can pretension take the place of aspiration?

While in some cases nearly identical to aspiration, 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 aspiration The Atlantic 10 is a conference with national aspirations, strong enough that its teams occasionally go deep into the N.C.A.A. tournament. —

Bruce Schoenfeld, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 Another surprising link had to do with aspiration pneumonia, or the risk that someone might vomit and some of that undigested food might get into their lungs and cause an infection. —

Brenda Goodman, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025 Busch approached the Chili Bowl Nationals with aspirations to advance to reach the C-Main. —

Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025 One such hard-working daughter, Marie (Jordan Rice), manages the shop named for her mother (the ebullient Victoire Charles), dealing with complicated rules and expectations while trying to do right both by her roots and her aspirations. —

Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for aspiration

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspiration

Noun

But corporate demand has surpassed even Fox’s expensive ambitions.

— Brian Stelter, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025
The Defense Ministry statement didn't mention Trump's ambitions.

— Bradford Betz, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2025