ASPIRATION Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'aspiration' different from other nouns like it?

The words ambition and pretension are common synonyms of aspiration . While all three words mean "strong desire for advancement," aspiration implies a striving after something higher than oneself. // an aspiration to become president someday

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ambition' instead of 'aspiration'?

Although the words ambition and aspiration have much in common, ambition applies to the desire for personal advancement or preferment and may suggest equally a praiseworthy or an inordinate desire. // driven by ambition

Q: In what contexts can 'pretension' take the place of 'aspiration'?

While in some cases nearly identical to aspiration , pretension suggests ardent desire for recognition of accomplishment often without actual possession of the necessary ability and therefore may imply presumption. // has literary pretensions

aspiration

noun

ˌa-spə-ˈrā-shən

Definition of aspiration

as in ambition

eager desire for personal advancement a combination of aspiration and hard work made her the top tennis player in the state

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in goal

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish college is his immediate aspiration after he graduates from high school

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word aspiration different from other nouns like it?

The words ambition and pretension are common synonyms of aspiration. While all three words mean "strong desire for advancement," aspiration implies a striving after something higher than oneself.

an aspiration to become president someday

When is it sensible to use ambition instead of aspiration?

Although the words ambition and aspiration have much in common, ambition applies to the desire for personal advancement or preferment and may suggest equally a praiseworthy or an inordinate desire.

driven by ambition

In what contexts can pretension take the place of aspiration?

While in some cases nearly identical to aspiration, 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 aspiration Johnson, who claims to be age 49 and celebrates his birthday every 19 months, is renowned for his longevity aspirations. — Renée Onque, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026 By the time their aspirations became public one year ago, and the Major Arena Soccer League awarded the region a men’s and a women’s team, officials had mapped out potential funding mechanisms. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026 Institutionalize psychological safety as a governance mechanism, not a cultural aspiration. — Albana Vrioni, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026 The conversation began with Watts’ childhood and acting aspirations. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aspiration

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspiration

Noun

Archaeologists and historians tell their stories from the ambition and ingenuity that made them, to the conflict and catastrophe that transformed them into the ruins of today.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Over the coming months, however, Ellison would connect with Mattel’s Ynon Kreiz, who still held Hollywood ambitions, and would ultimately join him at Skydance.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of ambition

Noun

Sitting next to Hopkins at the podium after the match was Chawinga, who came away with a goal and assist on the day.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
The goal was to recapture the way music was recorded decades ago, bringing musicians together to play live, with large instrumental ensembles that, in some tracks, involved more than 90 musicians.

— Franchesca Guim, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of goal

Noun

Other independents in the Senate, including Maine's Angus King on the moderate end and Vermont's Bernie Sanders on the left, caucus with Democrats for organizational purposes and committee assignments.

— NICHOLAS INGRAM, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
These varietals are not only tolerant to the high desert environment, but they were also planted with the sole purpose of conserving water and controlling run-off.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of purpose

Noun

With a physician shortage projected to be 33% by 2033, the Health Technology Bill of 2025 aims to use AI to alleviate the growing demand for physicians.

— Esha Desai, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
The aim is to help a variety of institutions gain insights into the origins of their collections, providing a basis for further actions.

— Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of aim

Noun

The island has hosted a Ground Self-Defense Force garrison since 2016, while Tokyo has plans to add additional air-defense capabilities in the coming years.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
California’s plan to save coastal homes from El Niño could end up killing beaches.

— Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of plan

Noun

My interaction with the staff on all levels felt more like an insight into Mexican culture and hospitality and less a glimpse of how Hilton runs, which is likely the company’s intention.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Self-awareness is not only about understanding our own values, strengths and intentions.

— Paula Johnston, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of intention

Noun

Miriam De La Rosa, 42, is facing three counts of animal cruelty with intent to kill or injure, court records show.

— Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
The intent is to defer capital gains taxes — which remains a legitimate strategy, but with additional qualifications, according to new guidance from tax authorities.

— Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of intent

Noun

As Reynolds notes, this freedom cut against rock’s foundational idea of immediacy, the direct communication of feeling between artist and audience.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
Over time, Buddhism introduced ideas of reincarnation and karmic retribution, linking a person's fate after death to their actions in life.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of idea

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“Aspiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspiration. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of aspiration

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