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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 David Peter Francis’s program has since displayed a sense of ambition that has become increasingly rare in New York. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Tapping Into Healthy Leadership Focusing solely on external ambition can easily lead an executive down a path of complete self- and corporate destruction. — Rachel Kule, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 That position, Bleriot said, gives the country an opportunity to put its circular-economy ambitions into practice. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026 Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and even Singapore have rallied behind Ukraine, seeing a Russian defeat as essential for restraining Chinese ambition. — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ambition

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambition

Noun

This injury leaves the Phillies, with World Series aspirations, still seeking reliable arms and relying on existing players and recent trade deadline acquisitions to navigate their pitching challenges.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Thousands of young residents were invited to create time capsules that embodied their lives during the pandemic and their aspirations for the future.

— Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of aspiration

Noun

Fuller's comments came the same day federal officials announced a new initiative aimed at combating educator misconduct in North Texas.

— Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Eco effort Little Palm has a few eco-minded initiatives happening, including reef restoration and seagrass protection programs.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of initiative

Noun

The Dynamo completed a season sweep after beating the Whitecaps 1-0 at home in May on a goal by newcomer Guilherme Santos six minutes into second-half stoppage time.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
The Moon enters Sagittarius and your 11th House of Friends, Groups, and Future Plans, making teamwork, invitations, and shared goals more active.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of goal

Noun

With her big dreams and determination, Shyniyah hopes to one day become the President of the United States.

— The Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2026
The singer connected that determination to a memory from childhood, describing a tendency to challenge what adults told her was true.

— Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of determination

Noun

The students are challenging those actions in federal court, arguing that FIU's policy – and its application to their silent demonstration – violates their First Amendment rights.

— Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
The footage mixes high-speed chases and explosive action with comedic beats, framing a story built around chaos, mismatched heroism and rising stakes as the mission unfolds.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of action

Noun

Officers have been accused of using the technology to track people in their families and personal lives rather than for legitimate law enforcement purposes.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Its sturdy purpose is to guide and tow larger vessels through locks and busy lanes.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of purpose

Noun

Matthew Temple said her performance (as well as countryman Sam Short’s in the men’s 400) served as motivation heading into his 100 butterfly win.

— Peter Baugh, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Jordan Patrick Haase, 40, was convicted of second-degree murder, but acquitted of the gang-motivation allegation.

— Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of motivation

Noun

Kirk Cousins played the first drive, then Mendoza took over until the fourth quarter.

— Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
It’s located in Istria, an area sculpted by rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves rather than coastline (Poreč and Rovinj, on the water, are each about a 30-minute drive).

— Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of drive

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ambit

ambition

ambitionless

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“Ambition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambition. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ambition

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