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

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 aspiration Similarly, outside observers might anticipate that after so much hardship, Gazans would be more prepared to compromise on larger political aspirations in favor of more urgent human needs. —

Scott Atran, Foreign Affairs, 14 Feb. 2025 At the time, Russian President Vladimir Putin surely had an inkling that his invasion would probably have a terrible impact on Russia's future Olympic aspirations, said Mietek Boduszyński, who teaches U.S. foreign policy at Pomona College in Claremont, California. —

David K. Li, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2025 Guaranteeing the people’s right to bear arms, both through state militias and as individuals, would serve as deterrence against federal leaders with despotic aspirations. —

Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025 Evan Ferguson’s arrival on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion is too premature for European aspirations but his youthfulness bodes well for the type of player Potter wants to recruit. —

Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for aspiration

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aspiration

Noun

Get unlimited access to journalism that fuels your curiosity, passion and ambition.

— Forbes, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2025
During the early days of its autonomous vehicle (AV) ambitions, Tesla did its testing in California, like most of the rest of the industry.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 10 Feb. 2025