1
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
2
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
3
as in goal
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
his ambition is to study international business, then get a job overseas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
With the mountain resort of Jackson Hole on his doorstep, Jones’ talents soon became obvious, his ambitions in the sport quickly growing.
—
George Ramsay, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025
The career of Napoleon Bonaparte, a young upstart, personified the new reliance on personal ambition and, ironically, his dictatorship was a made possible by the liberalizing military reforms that enabled his ascent.
—Marjoleine Kars, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Working as an exotic dancer can also enable someone to make good money with limited time and provide the flexibility to pursue other ambitions or goals.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2025
To blame a lack of ambition, or a culture of decline, is merely to re-state the problem.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambition
George Ramsay, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025
The career of Napoleon Bonaparte, a young upstart, personified the new reliance on personal ambition and, ironically, his dictatorship was a made possible by the liberalizing military reforms that enabled his ascent.
—Marjoleine Kars, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Working as an exotic dancer can also enable someone to make good money with limited time and provide the flexibility to pursue other ambitions or goals.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2025
To blame a lack of ambition, or a culture of decline, is merely to re-state the problem.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambition
Noun
-
The more Prabhu schemes while praying in temples or on river banks, the more his political aspirations begin to feel like a dharma — a religious duty or calling — rather than simply an ulterior motive beneath a religious façade.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
-
The same guy with the same championship aspirations.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Many agency initiatives have popular appeal, consumer advocates say.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
22 Feb. 2025
-
Lastly was the Galleries Together initiative, which saw the gallery Victoria Miro open their booth to other galleries participating in the fair that wanted to donate works to benefit the LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Since then, Dubb Value has been known for helping companies execute acquisitions that meet their financial goals and protect their core values, leadership vision, and efficiency in operations.—
Jason Phillips,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
-
This work also lays the foundation for the State of Maryland to be able to meet its goal of net-zero emissions by 2045.—
Jessica Babb,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Newsweek has reached out to legal experts to analyze whether Trump's executive order truly contradicts the 14th Amendment and, if so, to clarify the legal reasoning behind such a determination.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
-
That's fine; the letter's arrival is not a final determination.—
Jeff Weiner,
Axios,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Consider the cost of inaction versus the price of action.—
John Baldoni,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Shaw will not be in action for Jamaica in their back-to-back friendlies against Peru on February 23 and 26 during the upcoming international break.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The crucial difference from last season is his belief in his own abilities to alter events to his own purposes.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Kennedy also claimed the reason the children were hospitalized was for quarantine purposes.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
My decision to part ways was a long term career decision that was not shaped by short term motivations.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2025
-
Distractions creep in, and setbacks sap your motivation.—
Glenn Llopis,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 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
Cite this Entry
“Ambition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambition. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share