ASPIRATION Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

aspiration

noun

ˌa-spə-ˈrā-shən

Definition of aspiration next

as in ambition

eager desire for personal advancement a combination of aspiration and hard work made her the top tennis player in the state

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in goal

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 Grealish has often looked like one of those maverick talents who might find his greatest fulfilment as the talismanic player in a good team rather than part of the supporting cast in a side with higher aspirations. —

Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025 Libertyville’s Terrence Davis Jr. has a lot going for him as a freshman starting on a team with lofty aspirations. —

Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025 Even when men and women began college with similar achievement, interests and aspirations, those at less selective schools showed much wider gender gaps. —

Joseph Cimpian, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025 The level has been going down in recent years which is unfortunate considering our efforts and aspiration to reach gender parity. —

Annika Pham, Variety, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for aspiration

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspiration

Noun

In order for SpaceX to reach its ambition for the ship to become rapidly reusable, with minimal or no refurbishment between flights, the heat shield must be resilient and durable.

— Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 17 Jan. 2025
Both have faced international sanctions and accusations of destabilizing activities—Russia for its actions in Ukraine and Iran for its regional ambitions and nuclear program.

— Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025