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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 Today, data governance is more than a futuristic ambition. Deepak Yadav, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025 The Russians see Trump’s ambitions for territorial expansion in the Western Hemisphere as analogous to their own role in the former Soviet space. Eric Green, Time, 30 Apr. 2025 Its rule in one of the region’s major cities offers clues about the group’s long-term ambitions. Sophie Neiman, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Apr. 2025 Dot Dot Dot, being the first target for Dogma’s acquisition ambition, aims to bring excitement to trend forecasting and consumer insights. Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ambition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambition
Noun
  • The girls share their aspirations, dreams and the emotional toll of their fathers’ absence, revealing a profound wisdom and resilience beyond their years.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 1 May 2025
  • One mistake companies make when trying to monetize their data is not focusing on the most valuable data—data that helps people align their behaviors with their aspirations.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Chris Judd, a guide at Bush and Beach, conducts a specialty tour that shows visitors Auckland's regenerative tourism initiatives.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
  • All proceeds from the trip will go towards Variety Cares, the company’s nonprofit foundation, which supports initiatives striving for clean oceans, gender equality, and education.
    Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • On the Inter Milan side, Lautaro Martinez is tied for fifth with eight goals.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • The Lyon goal should rightly rectify his legacy at United and hopefully earn him the respect from those outside of the club who have often so unfairly chided and ridiculed him.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • This week’s crop of new music finds Luke Combs and Bailey Zimmerman pairing up on a hard-charging anthem about grit and determination.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 5 May 2025
  • Choose from the Legends Tee, which honors Black pioneers of skateboarding with six black-and-white, high-contrast action shots, or the Wheels Tee, an homage to skateboarders’ determination and grit.
    Alia Yee Noll, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • The Trump administration has increased enforcement actions targeting violent MS-13 or Tren de Aragua gang members who have entered the country illegally.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025
  • Two days later, activists organized a union action at the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company in Chicago.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • His purpose was to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the genocide and advocate for the release of 23 hostages detained in Azerbaijan.
    Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Nothing quite represents a club’s identity like the crest; that is its purpose by definition.
    Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • Political, religious, and family motivations divided the cardinals, preventing a majority, during a time when cardinals were not cut off from the outside world.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 3 May 2025
  • Protecting Jane’s legacy and privacy are strong motivations for her sister.
    Kim Campbell, Christian Science Monitor, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • One of drive, skill, and physicality, and the two midfielders both possess the engine to return to their defensive positions quickly when needed.
    James Nalton, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
  • Potentially more significant are subsidies paid to companies that manufacture batteries in the United States, part of a drive by the Biden administration to establish a domestic supply chain and reduce dependence on China.
    Jack Ewing, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2023

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Cite this Entry

“Ambition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambition. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

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