ASPIRATIONS Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

aspirations

noun

plural of aspiration

as in goals

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

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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 aspirations Future neighborhoods could treat environmental sustainability as the default rather than as aspirations with obstacles. — Daniel Kramer, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026 The project also is a sign of the airport’s aspirations to raise its profile among mid-size airports in the region with further route expansion. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026 And now, with championship aspirations entering his 13th season, and fifth in Los Angeles, Mack is basking in his role as the Chargers’ elder statesman. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026 His off-court aspirations take him from Silicon Valley to Hollywood. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026 Those high aspirations, however, don’t appear to affect Proctor. — Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2026 This is a sobering stretch in a lost season for the Mets, whose status as trade-deadline sellers underscores how much went wrong for a team once with World Series aspirations. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026 Those efforts culminated in a 3-0 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers, a team with legitimate postseason aspirations. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 July 2026 For much of the last decade, economic aspirations have been the driving factor for Modi's electoral appeal, experts said, but added that many young people feel the promise has not materialized amid rising unemployment and lack of upward mobility. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 27 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspirations

Noun

If goals diverge, name the common aim, then suggest a simple route that honors both needs, and your upbeat spirit will make consensus easier.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
The Frenchman scored more league goals than any other Liverpool player last season, but that was largely with Isak on the sidelines.

— Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of goals

Noun

Instead, the Children's Trust was used and abused by the Kittrells for exclusively their own purposes and in fact the Kittrells treat the trust assets for nearly all purposes as their own.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Cost basis is the property's value for tax purposes — the starting point used to calculate a taxable gain or loss when the property is sold.

— Sharon Epperson,Stephanie Dhue, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of purposes

Noun

Its main aims, however, also take in enrolling Recife’s key craft talent on projects, bringing on the next generation of great filmmakers in Brazil’s Northeast, and attracting shoots to the state.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Then, the guerilla activists left a final letter pinned to the door of a government office later that year, stating that their aims had been met.

— RJ Mackenzie, Popular Science, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of aims

Noun

Treat these as serious events with measurable objectives, not as compliance checkboxes.

— David Etue, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Salman Al-Ansari, a Saudi geopolitical analyst, rejected the suggestion that Riyadh is unwilling to confront Iran, saying the Kingdom distinguishes between credible deterrence and military action without clear objectives.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of objectives

Noun

Keane, a former four-star general, argued that their involvement may have contributed to Washington misunderstanding Iran’s intentions.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Digital streaks, from nightly games to professional habits, often hijack our intentions, turning recreational activities into obligations that cost us real rest.

— Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of intentions

Noun

For now, though, soccer’s civil war appears to be heading toward an entrenched standoff of ideas and values.

— Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Liverpool’s new manager turned Bournemouth into a highly efficient outfit during his time in charge there and could carry over some ideas to his latest club.

— Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of ideas

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aspiration

aspirations

aspire

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“Aspirations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aspirations. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of aspirations

noun

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