Synonyms of aspiration

aspiration

noun

ˌa-spə-ˈrā-shən 

1

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• means
• method
• way

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

Recent Examples of aspiration

Beijing is reenvisioned as a showcase of China's aspirations. —Rebecca Tan, Washington Post, 13 May 2026

Chloe appeared in two TV movies with Newton-John From a young age, Chloe had acting aspirations just like her mother. —Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026

Born 10 years after the ‘85 Bears won the Super Bowl, Carlson’s TV aspirations include getting to cover the team’s next title, which seems more promising as the Ben Johnson/Caleb Williams era unfolds. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026

And the people have never been able to reach their their aspirations. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 12 May 2026