Synonyms of ambition

ambition

noun

am-ˈbi-shən 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aspiration
• determination
• motivation
• ambitiousness
• opportunism
• initiative
• energy
• greed
• competitiveness
• passion
• go-getting
• industry
• aggression
• diligence
• push
• enterprise
• hustle
• drive
• eagerness
• daring
• assertiveness
• spirit
• avarice
• go
• killer instinct
• pretentiousness
• hunger
• avidity
• ardor
• pushiness
• keenness
• overambitiousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifference
• apathy
• unconcern
• inertia
• lethargy
• laziness
• indolence
• idleness
• halfheartedness
• sloth
• shiftlessness

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

• initiative
• action
• drive
• enterprise
• spirit
• aggressiveness
• vigor
• hustle
• grit
• energy
• go
• gumption
• pluck
• ambitiousness
• spunk
• assertiveness
• starch
• self-reliance
• killer instinct
• vitality
• pep
• hardihood
• overambitiousness
• snap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inertia
• passivity
• reluctance
• inactivity
• timidity
• diffidence
• hesitation
• lethargy
• laziness
• indolence
• faintheartedness

3

as in goal

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish

his ambition is to study international business, then get a job overseas

Synonyms & Similar Words

• goal
• purpose
• plan
• aim
• intention
• intent
• idea
• objective
• dream
• object
• thing
• aspiration
• meaning
• design
• target
• ideal
• point
• end
• pretension
• project
• desire
• mark
• hope
• name of the game
• bourne
• mind
• scheme
• wish
• plot
• destination
• grail
• holy grail
• nirvana
• terminus

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• means
• way
• method

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

Recent Examples of ambition

Standing up an independent domestic solar supply chain is critical to the country’s energy security and AI ambitions, and to lowering power prices, especially as Beijing moves to restrict the export of some key solar technologies. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2026

Locals would often zip overseas or migrate south, perhaps on the assumption that their ambition could never be realized at home. — Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Nov. 2026

The ambition is to extend Veterans Behind The Lens beyond the pilot to establish a repeatable model that brings veterans into industry training, professional networks and employment opportunities. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2026

Think of it like a mini summer camp devoted to obsessive ambition. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Nov. 2026