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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 Democrats and traditional Republicans, like McCain, curbed Trump's first-term ambitions, and cultural institutions, from Hollywood to universities, made clear his behavior violated their values. Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025 The 36-year-old wife of Steph Curry and mother to their four children opened up on an episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast released Wednesday, Aug. 20 about her childhood ambitions and how her life has changed since. Rachel McRady, People.com, 20 Aug. 2025 Why the Black Sea matters Russia has long seen the domination of the Black Sea as necessary for its global ambitions, its great power status, and its identity as a civilizational state. Galip Dalay, Time, 19 Aug. 2025 Akon’s combination of ambition and disinterest in governance is remarkably common. Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ambition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambition
Noun
  • Yet in a time when political conservatism is increasing, are campaigns like Ralph Lauren’s emblematic of Black American life and aspirations?
    Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Ultimately, those aspirations that LeCun and Hinton mention (empathy, etc.) are objectives for us, too.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • But officials in Nashville warn the cuts could impact important health initiatives.
    Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
  • On top of that, tech companies are rolling back diversity initiatives in alignment with President Donald Trump's anti-DEI push, with companies like Meta cutting programs designed to boost hiring of women and marginalized communities in the industry.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • As a whole, aviation has a goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, although that gets less likely by the year as sustainable aviation fuel development and scaling stalls.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
  • The Rapids’ opener saw Navarro provide an assist to Darren Yapi, who continued his hot run of form with another goal after scoring twice at Minnesota.
    Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Russia's icebreaker fleet far outstrips that of any other military, an example of the country's determination to dominate the region.
    Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
  • Going to the bathroom outdoors is a full-body experience, one that requires strength, balance, focus, and a dash of determination.
    Kade Krichko, Outside, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The campaign underscores the need for action, Roth says.
    Gidget Fuentes, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The fine also reflected the unprecedented finding of adverse action against so many workers, said Shae McCrystal, a labor law professor at the University of Sydney.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Each separate agency has a unique purpose, but they are all inextricably connected.
    River Selby August 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Geometric carpets with lots of squares and triangles are suitable for this purpose.
    Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • At the White House press briefing later that day, press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked whether Trump was joking in his comments or if there was a spiritual motivation behind his peace efforts.
    Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Just his razor-sharp intellect and the motivation to work hard.
    Rich Tabaka, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 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 28 Aug. 2025.

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