AMBITION Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

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

The words aspiration and pretension are common synonyms of ambition . While all three words mean "strong desire for advancement," ambition applies to the desire for personal advancement or preferment and may suggest equally a praiseworthy or an inordinate desire. // driven by ambition

Q: When would 'aspiration' be a good substitute for 'ambition'?

Although the words aspiration and ambition have much in common, aspiration implies a striving after something higher than oneself. // an aspiration to become president someday

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

In some situations, the words pretension and ambition are roughly equivalent. However, pretension suggests ardent desire for recognition of accomplishment often without actual possession of the necessary ability and therefore may imply presumption. // has literary pretensions

ambition

noun

am-ˈbi-shən

Definition of ambition

as in aspiration

eager desire for personal advancement "Talent without ambition will not make you a star," the singer's voice coach liked to remind her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in initiative

readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity the ambition shown by the undersea explorers of the Mariana Trench, the deepest in the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in goal

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish his ambition is to study international business, then get a job overseas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

The words aspiration and pretension are common synonyms of ambition. While all three words mean "strong desire for advancement," ambition applies to the desire for personal advancement or preferment and may suggest equally a praiseworthy or an inordinate desire.

driven by ambition

When would aspiration be a good substitute for ambition?

Although the words aspiration and ambition have much in common, aspiration implies a striving after something higher than oneself.

an aspiration to become president someday

In what contexts can pretension take the place of ambition?

In some situations, the words pretension and ambition are roughly equivalent. However, 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 ambition Television money and commercial ambition turned the club into a premium global-entertainment product. — Vanda Mayer, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026 Democrats, meanwhile, have growing ambitions of pulling off upset victories deep inside Republican territory. — Jamie Ross, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026 Both superpowers believe a nuclear reactor is the centerpiece of this ambition. — Selam Gebrekidan, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 The ultimate ambition is to scour records and surface new stories about people whose lives have faded away over the centuries. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ambition

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambition

Noun

Guadagnino liked the idea of shooting a tech movie about the future in a place once home to similar aspirations.

— E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Sandoval is certainly making an impact for the Blue Devils, who have postseason aspirations.

— Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of aspiration

Noun

Much of the president's frustration has come after the court ruled against him on some of his central initiatives, including tariffs and birthright citizenship.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Earlier in the year, Abundantia announced another AI studio initiative, teaming with AI video tech company InVideo to launch a film studio, which will develop a slate of five films over the next few years.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of initiative

Noun

England, which aims to eliminate the virus by 2030, has already met its goal of treating 80% of its hepatitis C infections.

— Philip A. Chan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
Clients meet with their advisor periodically to discuss priorities and review progress on financial goals.

— Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of goal

Noun

But the investigation is ongoing, and no final determination has been made.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Colfax Mayor Caroline McCully said the opening represents the culmination of years of work and determination by people who believed in the project and the community.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of determination

Noun

The architecture is designed to let robots interpret their surroundings, predict how environments may change, and choose appropriate actions.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, the Libra Moon enters your private 12th House and encourages reflection before action.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of action

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

Mashuma is open annually for April-November dry seasons of games drives, bush walks, and sundowners all across the massive national park and to the nearby Zambezi river.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Dallas cut the lead to 16-13 on an 8-yard run by Williams on the opening drive of the third quarter.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of drive

Browse Nearby Words

ambit

ambition

ambitionless

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Style

“Ambition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambition. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ambition

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