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

Examples of aspiration in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web Money-conscious consumers holding onto aspirations Price is an important consideration for Chinese consumers because of the slowing economy. —

Eunice Yoon, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024 An aspiration emotionally charges you as the moon activates Mars and Pluto. —

USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024 Their journey intertwines conflicting aspirations as nostalgia meets ambition, and the weight of her past confronts an uncertain future. —

Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024 In his Intentional Change Theory, Richard Boyatzis highlights the role of dreaming and aspirations to promote development and growth at the personal level. —

Erica Yanney, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for aspiration

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspiration

Noun

Should Iran continue its aggression, Israel may take the next step: targeting the critical infrastructure and components of Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Despite the awe-inspiring ambition of the new conservatory and gardens, the most remarkable addition for visitors to Longwood might just be the restaurant that the architects carved out of the Earth underneath the original Beaux-arts Conservancy.

William O'Connor, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2024