Definition of aspirationnext

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 The students with aspirations to high office knew that idealism and ambition put off a lot of people. Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026 Laguna Hills’ players had aspirations of winning the team’s first CIF championship since the summer. Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026 His aspirations, after a highly successful season, could be among the highest in the NFL. Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026 Before strategies are crafted, clients are encouraged to articulate aspirations and concerns. Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aspiration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspiration
Noun
  • The long-term ambition behind the program extends beyond a single aircraft.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
  • The Korean studio’s upcoming slate suggests its awards ambitions and international goals are only intensifying.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Iran had been building that capacity in Iraq since the 1980s, cultivating Shia political networks, exile parties and militia groups during and after the Iran-Iraq War and beyond with the explicit goal of ensuring a post-Saddam Iraq would never again threaten Iranian security.
    Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Awe-inspiring Jupiter is moving forward once more in your empathetic sign, lifting your confidence and inviting a fresh approach to self-care and personal goals.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • For anyone building a compact, efficient toolkit, the hori hori knife eliminates the need for several single-purpose gadgets.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The military’s purpose is national defense, not managing domestic dissent.
    Brielle Miller, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The combination has been proposed before with the aim of consolidating news-gathering costs.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
  • These are mature musicians, their primary aim is to enrich themselves, the audience and not simply inflate their bank accounts.
    Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Crude prices spiked above $110 per barrel Monday morning after several Middle East energy producers announced plans to cut output.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Provost is expected to lay out a plan to slash expenses at a strategy day near Paris, including using more technology from Chinese partner Geely to lower development costs.
    Albertina Torsoli, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Good intentions — and handsome animation — aside, Forevergreen is ultimately too maudlin and moralistic to rank it much higher than this.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
  • When Myra’s true intentions come to light, however, Billy realizes her plan threatens to consume them both.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • February 19 – March 20 Pisces, your voice can currently land with warm, clear intent.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The women face charges of possession of methamphetamine and marijuana with the intent to distribute and taking contraband into a penal institution.
    Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • That idea was put forth way back in 1929 by Fritz Zwicky, the same Fritz Zwicky who coined the term supernova and was the first to theorize the existence of dark matter.
    Big Think, Big Think, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Invite friends to share their recent creative ideas with you to revel in mutual inspiration.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Aspiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspiration. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

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