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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 Attend is led by NATO veterans Jackie Brenneman, John Fithian, and Patrick Corcoran, with the ambition to use data and AI to directly match films with theaters and audiences. Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2025 The athlete got engaged to Italian-Danish actor and model Andrea Preti in 2025, and seems to have found someone who matches her poise and ambition. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 4 Nov. 2025 The new platform could further boost China’s space ambitions. Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025 Arthur intimately understands the company’s challenges and ambitions. Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ambition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambition
Noun
  • The singer and actress starred on The CW series as Jenny Humphrey and left during Season 4 to pursue her aspirations as the lead singer of rock band The Pretty Reckless.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Now, Lomax said, his aspirations go well beyond social media fame.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The Academy’s international membership has grown significantly through the diversity initiative launched after the #OscarsSoWhite controversy.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
  • This year marks the 75th anniversary of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, an initiative where children collect coins to donate to the agency that supports children in need worldwide.
    NPR, NPR, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • With their passage, Mamdani as mayor gets a boost towards his goal of building 200,000 more units of permanently affordable housing over the next 10 years.
    Kim Velsey, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2025
  • His goal over the next year is to replace 100% of the city’s buses with low-emission and zero-emission vehicles.
    Erin McMullen, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Elizabeth’s determination not to settle the succession gave rise to fierce rivalry between the claimants to the English throne, among them Mary, Queen of Scots and her son James VI; James’s cousin Arbella Stuart; Lady Katherine Grey and her descendants; and Henry Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Our shareholders and clients have benefited enormously from Elon Musk's vision, determination and execution.
    Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Within 90 days, the county has to draft an action plan for implementing the program.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Her artwork often carries a strong political message, including criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza since October 7, 2023, and reflections on other crises in the Middle East.
    Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • However, this approach defeats the primary purpose of insurance, which is to protect against catastrophic costs in the event of an unexpected medical crisis.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Grief pressed in, but so did purpose.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Spontaneity delivered 24 frames per second will be prioritized over preparation and motivation.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Duncan’s announcement caused some of his former political allies to question his motivations.
    Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The central question was where the canvassers lived during the petition drive, Wood said.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Yet amidst this external focus on varied lyric forms, the drive in this collection feels narrative, the stories history doubling and echoing myth and history.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ambition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambition. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ambition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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