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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Deftly drawing from folk, soul, blues, funk and country, Armatrading sings of love lost, won and desired, heady aspirations and quiet desperation, in a deep, richly moving voice.
—
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
The only bedroom upstairs, the primary suite has positively presidential aspirations.
—Andrew Sessa, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2026
My aspirations were more modest.
—Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
While both teams have aspirations that go way beyond just qualifying for the postseason, it should not be taken lightly.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aspiration
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
The only bedroom upstairs, the primary suite has positively presidential aspirations.
—Andrew Sessa, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2026
My aspirations were more modest.
—Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
While both teams have aspirations that go way beyond just qualifying for the postseason, it should not be taken lightly.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aspiration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspiration
Noun
-
The ambition is to ensure that young players do not end up on the scrapheap, but leave the game armed with their own scrapbook of skills and qualifications.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Meaningful regime change, halting Iran's nuclear ambitions, and dismantling its ballistic missile program are all very much an open question, with some analysts saying the war has led to an even more hardline government in Tehran that may be more determined to pursue nuclear weapons.—
Greg Myre,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As currently written, the bill would also formally declare the state’s ultimate goal to be restoration of the animals, once so ubiquitous that they are enshrined in the state’s flag.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Connor Bedard earned his 200th career point with an assist on Donato’s first-period goal.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
What's new is using criminal prosecutors for partisan purposes -- and there's no quotes about that in the case.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
That is leading people to lean on their faith for meaning and purpose.—
Marissa Sulek,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The law notably establishes an independent registry of art forgery experts within the culture ministry to appraise and archive cases, with the aim of fostering a more trustworthy art market.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Their overall aim is to roll back FDA rules that have made the pills more accessible.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But later that month, after several employees talked about quitting, the plan was abandoned.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Sketch a plan for practice, then show up even if motivation wobbles.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Clancy will be undergoing a forensic psychological evaluation later this week after Reddington informed the court of her intention to plead not guilty by reason of insanity at trial.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The principles, which focus on illustrating what developmentally appropriate content looks like, will be made public later this spring with the intention of offering guidance not only to Moonbug, but to other kids’ content creators as well as parents evaluating their children’s media diet.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Lykke Leonardsen, who runs Copenhagen’s Resilient and Sustainable City Solutions program and serves as the city’s informal water ambassador, told me that the intent was to hold hearings, win approval in August, and invest gradually.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The legislation also comes as Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell and several state lawmakers have expressed their intent to prosecute ICE agents carrying out operations in Massachusetts.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Artists Joshua Flores and Giesi Amaya integrated those ideas into the final product.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
-
On the night Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis came to see our play, the actor playing Ice had an idea.—
Jeffrey Eugenides,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aspiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspiration. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
