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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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 Given that men don't have to contend with a biological ticking clock like women do, parenthood becomes a calculus that women are frequently forced to navigate, balancing professional ambition and personal identity. — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 That these three fiercely original films found their footing under difficult circumstances created by their directors’ own ambition is now part of the lore surrounding their instant classic status. — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2026 This is seen as a major milestone for the company’s ambitions in the region. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 For retailers heading into the critical holiday season, that gap between ambition and readiness is becoming increasingly important. — Jill Standish, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ambition

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambition

Noun

The 22-year old’s aspiration to return to America’s favorite amateur sport signals just how big college football has become.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Summary The American Dream, a vision of a better life regardless of one's start, remains a powerful aspiration.

— True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of aspiration

Noun

But that doesn’t mean eating before working out is always better overall, as meal timing can affect each body differently depending on one's goals.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
One of the first focuses under the new corporate structure will be addressing cancer drug affordability, Shah said, with a goal of accelerating the adoption of lower-cost biosimilars, which are clinically equivalent drugs akin to generic drugs.

— Ian Thomas, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of goal

Noun

The conference said its rule would apply independently of the status of NCAA eligibility determinations.

— Aaron Beard, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
In his ruling Gayles rejected the government’s argument that Vorbe could be held in mandatory detention without a bond hearing simply because of Rubio’s determination in a letter.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of determination

Noun

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 ranks EI skills like resilience, flexibility, agility, leadership, social influence, motivation, and self-awareness as among the top ten most desirable skills.

— Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The Whisper Man director James Ashcroft explains the motivations of the film’s serial killer antagonist.

— Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of motivation

Noun

Or all-wheel drive—something that has been a characteristic of every new road-going Bentley since the turn of the century.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
The ash campaign differs from the push to save elm trees because the elm drive is a breeding program rather than an inoculation effort.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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