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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 companies behind Charlotte have ambitions for it to not only be put to work building homes a few years from now, but also Moon bases for lunar research in the future. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 30 Sep. 2025 With Chad Powers, co-creators Michael Waldron and Glen Powell had some pretty lofty ambitions. Katie Campione, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025 Abloh’s ambition was to open the doors of the insular world of design to younger generations. Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025 David brings fresh vision, global experience and relentless ambition. Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ambition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambition
Noun
  • The cards suggest April will bring a refreshing burst of hope and clarity for you, Aries, as The Star invites you to reconnect with your dreams and aspirations.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The specs are an enthusiast’s dream—big displacement, natural aspiration, and a manual gearbox.
    Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The resort's Star Camp kids club encourages youngsters to be stewards of the land and sea, emphasizing sustainable initiatives such as recycling and ocean ecology.
    Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
  • That night catalyzed CanLit Responds, an authors’ initiative that ultimately led to the Giller Boycott, which has drawn over 450 Canadian authors and publishing workers as signatories.
    Literary Hub September 26, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • When asked about whether as many as 300,000 workers could lose their jobs, Vought emphasized the administration’s broader goal of shrinking Washington’s reach.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • With a clearer picture of cash flow, an advisor can make investing recommendations based on your goals, risk tolerance and timeline.
    Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • State law requires licensers to provide initial determinations within 90 days.
    Max Rego, The Hill, 1 Oct. 2025
  • While her wit, charm and determination bring her attention, her collapsing health, social prejudice and family tensions conspire against her.
    Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Ineffective policies for the EV market could mirror the loss of the solar energy industry, says Wendy Cutler, senior vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute, where too-late action left America outpaced and China controlling more than 80 percent of the world’s solar panels.
    Rebecca A. Fannin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Have you ever been publicly disciplined for unethical or unlawful actions in your career?
    Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Personality and purpose Upon entering the home, the first room one notices is Catherine's spacious office, which sits just to the left of the front door.
    Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • While the Sixers theoretically have four centers, one is the brittle Joel Embiid, two are youngsters who haven’t clearly established themselves yet (Adem Bona and Johni Broome) and the other is a near-the-end Andre Drummond, who might also be traded for tax purposes.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The actor discussed his character's motivations in a 2024 interview with TV Insider.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Some of you may have felt a deep motivation to change your identity, embrace new horizons or shake up your life’s destiny.
    Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • However, his late-game drive allowed running back D'Andre Swift to give the team a 25-24 lead, and ultimately set the stage for the thrilling finish.
    Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Henley put his drive into a fairway bunker on 18 while the Irishman was safely in the short stuff in the middle of the hole.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ambition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambition. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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