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

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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 Shkordoff, meanwhile, said the film explores the relationship between professional ambition, physical limitations and personal identity. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026 Though small in size, the portrait tells a story of soaring ambitions. — Eva Wolchover, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026 Related Stories The series follows Gadget Kid, an ordinary teenager with extraordinary ambitions, but absolutely no superpowers. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026 The problem is that their PR ambitions continue to outpace their professional accomplishments. — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ambition

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambition

Noun

Bennett and Liberman have not endorsed Eisenkot and both have their own premiership aspirations.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
How Richard Branson inspired Tan-Gillespie’s career ethos As Tan-Gillespie’s career developed, so did her aspirations.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of aspiration

Noun

That there’s even $75 million to fight over is due to an aldermanic initiative.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
In 2019, Roc Nation signed on to consult the NFL on live music entertainment and the social justice initiative Inspire Change, which aims to reduce barriers to opportunity, especially in underserved communities.

— Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of initiative

Noun

Only 11% said leaving something for the kids is their top financial goal.

— Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Securing public money for them raises issues over church-state separation but fulfills a longstanding goal for Christian conservatives, who lobbied for this funding.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of goal

Noun

Sandy’s medical expenses were submitted to Kaiser for possible reimbursement; a determination remains pending.

— Lance B. Fulford, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
The federal government will then issue its final determinations, and what happens next will be unexplored legal territory.

— Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of determination

Noun

Others, enacted via executive action, are directly tied to the Republican candidates running for office in those states.

— Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
Officers also must verify license plate information and confirm that an alert is accurate and relevant to an active investigation before taking enforcement action.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of action

Noun

Its purpose is to help eliminate malignant cells that may remain after surgery, reducing the chance of another tumor taking hold.

— Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
The decor nods to her career without losing sight of the hotel’s purpose as a place to unwind after a day exploring Music City.

— Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of purpose

Noun

In many instances, a nature lead might find that their underlying motivation is at odds with their employer’s, causing friction and making their — suddenly outsized — remit difficult to fulfil.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
But Spoelstra insisted that wasn’t a source of motivation to begin this season against Ball’s new team.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of motivation

Noun

On the night, the defense allowed 321 total yards and allowed the seventh drive of over seven minutes this season on a third-quarter touchdown march that gave the Eagles the lead.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026
Safety and visibility along the corridor were central discussion points, with officials calling for lighting at intersections and campus drives and along the street and walkway up to Swepco Road.

— Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ambition

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