1
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
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ambition
The Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz sites lie at the heart of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and had previously been targeted by Israeli strikes.
—
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 21 June 2025
Just days after the G7 failed to deliver any meaningful policy progress, and as the EU backpedals on its green regulation agenda, a troubling gap is emerging between local ambition and failures of international leadership.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
For nearly four years since its first crewed mission, the New Shepard spacecraft has served as a powerful symbol of Blue Origin's commercial spaceflight ambitions amid a growing space tourism industry.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 21 June 2025
The Full moon in Capricorn on July 10 brings clarity to your career and sense of authority, encouraging you to release old ambitions and personas that no longer serve you.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambition
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 21 June 2025
Just days after the G7 failed to deliver any meaningful policy progress, and as the EU backpedals on its green regulation agenda, a troubling gap is emerging between local ambition and failures of international leadership.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
For nearly four years since its first crewed mission, the New Shepard spacecraft has served as a powerful symbol of Blue Origin's commercial spaceflight ambitions amid a growing space tourism industry.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 21 June 2025
The Full moon in Capricorn on July 10 brings clarity to your career and sense of authority, encouraging you to release old ambitions and personas that no longer serve you.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambition
Noun
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After Dak Prescott went down with a season-ending injury, the Cowboys' championship aspirations quickly withered away in 2024.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
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Her appetite for life's most fascinating experiences is matched only by her desire to help fuel readers' own hungers and aspirations.—
Sarah Perez,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Noun
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For 16 years, with a brief respite during President Trump’s first term, the military drifted into a laboratory for progressive priorities -- diversity quotas, climate initiatives, and gender policies that sapped readiness and lethality.—
Matt Schoenfeldt,
National Review,
21 June 2025
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To address past lifeguard shortages and build a stronger pipeline, the Chicago Park District launched several recruitment initiatives in late 2023, including the Lifeguard Explorers Training Program targeting teens and young adults on the South and West sides, with stipends and free certification.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2025
Noun
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After being shut out in the group stage opener, Man City's superstar Erling Haaland has caught fire, scoring a goal in each of their past two matches.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
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Similar to a puzzle, the goal is for kids to arrange the strings in a way that fits within the board’s pattern.—
Laura Lu,
Parents,
30 June 2025
Noun
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Then the market for EVs started showing signs of slowing down, and the current administration’s determination to eliminate the federal tax credit for EVs started to alter the trajectory of the battery-electric vehicle uptake.—
Kristin Shaw,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
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While there is an investigation looking into what caused the Air India disaster, no official determination has been issued yet.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2025
Noun
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Graff and Bateman’s unique investigative skills are showcased through a variety of psychological tactics, with a heavy focus on the motives and actions of criminals.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
1 July 2025
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Their unique investigative skills are showcased through psychological tactics, with a heavy focus on the motives and actions of the criminals.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
1 July 2025
Noun
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Users can examine the prompts and the chats that made those examples possible and even modify them for their own purposes.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
26 June 2025
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The purpose of the grants is to address the climate crisis and various environmental harms at the local level.—
Tracy J. Wholf
June 26,
CBS News,
26 June 2025
Noun
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The next step is to win it, and that’s our motivation for next season.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
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The suspect’s motivation for the shootings remains unclear.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
20 June 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Ambition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambition. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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