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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 These dark objects presented a challenge to science in its ambition to survey and understand the world. Big Think, 9 Sep. 2025 New manufacturing facilities, such as those making semiconductors, and the data centers that undergird the country’s artificial intelligence ambitions consume unprecedented amounts of electricity. Brian Deese, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2025 Beyond that, there are also geopolitical complexities that shroud the UAE's AI ambitions. Ryan Browne, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025 Still, some industry experts fear the move may harm the U.K.'s space ambitions and weaken its position within the European Space Agency, to which Britain allocates most of its civilian space budget. Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ambition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambition
Noun
  • Instead of focusing only on top flyers, AAdvantage surprises mid-level customers with top-tier treatment, sparking aspiration and stronger engagement.
    Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Really, Slightly’s truer kin could be Kirsh, who continues to roll his eyes at the hybrid’s human aspirations.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Before joining Valli, Werner was manager of women’s leather goods collections and strategic initiatives director at Louis Vuitton.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Dixon brings over 20 years of experience to the organization and will oversee all business legal matters, including commercial and business contract drafting and negotiation, litigation matters, real estate portfolios, corporate governance and strategic initiatives.
    Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Create a list of 20-30 companies aligned with your career goals.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • China’s already reached its goal of getting 300 million people involved.
    Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Wolf’s new deal is a testament to his determination.
    Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Her strength of character, artistic vision, and fierce determination remain profoundly inspiring today.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And while those enforcement actions have not yet translated into criminal cases or fines against the employers, the raids themselves in some cases significantly disrupted business operations.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The story that actually led me to them was when Bishop Tony Caldwell made a call to action, saying that community members were trying to report Black women missing and they were being ignored or dismissed.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only.
    William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • In a 2004 study, the United States Institute of Peace said that hundreds of terrorist groups had migrated online, utilizing a tool meant for better communication for often nefarious purposes.
    Richard Frankel, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The primary question is the motivation of the government, First Amendment experts told The Republic.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • All four players won the Tewaaraton Award for the most outstanding player in college lacrosse, and the quartet was a primary motivation for Law to return to the team in ’25.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Never was there any reason to think Jones would lead Indy to points on every drive during a game, which neither Manning nor Luck ever accomplished.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Miami’s next drive ended after two plays when Colts nickel cornerback Kenny Moore II blind sided Tagovailoa for a sack fumble as a free blitzer coming from the right side, Tagovailoa’s blind side.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ambition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambition. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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