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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 Human ambition and cooperation are what steer AI from hype to tangible change. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 And how can Ukraine be protected from the unyielding ambitions of its more powerful neighbor? Tim Lister, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025 Emotional uncertainty may arise around professional ambitions while the moon squares off with Neptune. USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025 How to boost your ambition and EQ Ridiculous ambition requires emotional intelligence, Ramaswamy said. Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ambition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambition
Noun
  • His heartfelt narrative reminded us that great leaders can articulate personal aspirations and fears, drawing their audience closer.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Alas for true love and territorial aspirations, on his way back to St. Petersburg for further orders and permission to marry, Rezanov got sick, again and again, and finally died after falling from his horse.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Thinking Game event was the second meeting of IRL Movie Club, a nationwide initiative to connect independent film communities through in-person screenings and conversations.
    Zoe G. Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The new division’s first initiative aims to beef up content tied to History.com.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • These three countries host large deposits of several minerals critical to the U.S., for America's economic and geopolitical goals.
    John Feng, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Sporting responded strongly after conceding the two goals.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • At this point, Athena will fly autonomously through to its landing, utilizing onboard imaging systems and sensors to analyze the terrain below and make navigational determinations.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 6 Mar. 2025
  • His determination to forge a path toward justice within a treacherous landscape of political machinations and gang warfare forms the narrative backbone of the show.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Start your Fubo free trial now to get started watching the baseball action.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Some experts see several reasons to be concerned about Trump’s actions: ▪ Elon Musk.
    David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Social recognition is written by employees who are eager to shout to the rooftops about their colleagues – with the express purpose of sharing it.
    Eric Mosley, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Kennedy also claimed the reason the children were hospitalized was for quarantine purposes.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Based on my experience, when this process is delegated to a product UI or AI agent, motivation to respond decreases even more.
    Peter Potapov, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Recognition continues to be a leading driver of engagement, impacting employee connection, motivation, and pride.
    Bob Helbig, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • One of drive, skill, and physicality, and the two midfielders both possess the engine to return to their defensive positions quickly when needed.
    James Nalton, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
  • Potentially more significant are subsidies paid to companies that manufacture batteries in the United States, part of a drive by the Biden administration to establish a domestic supply chain and reduce dependence on China.
    Jack Ewing, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2023

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Cite this Entry

“Ambition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambition. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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