Ambition vs. Aspiration — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 1, 2024
Ambition is the strong desire to achieve success, often with a specific goal in mind, focusing on determination and persistence. Aspiration refers to a hopeful desire for future achievements, emphasizing ideals and long-term goals.
Difference Between Ambition and Aspiration
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Ambition drives individuals to pursue success, power, or fame, often with a clear goal and a plan for achieving it. It involves a proactive stance towards opportunities and challenges, where success is measured by tangible achievements. Aspirations, on the other hand, are more about hopeful desires and dreams for the future, often less defined and more about the direction one wishes their life to take.
While ambition can sometimes be seen as aggressive or competitive, focusing on achieving personal or professional milestones, aspirations are generally viewed more positively, associated with personal growth and the fulfillment of potential. Aspirations serve as guiding stars, ideals that inspire and direct one's journey, whereas ambition is the fuel that propels an individual forward, often with a more immediate and pragmatic approach.
Ambitions are typically associated with a determination to overcome obstacles and a willingness to take calculated risks to achieve specific objectives. This can sometimes lead to a single-minded pursuit of success. In contrast, aspirations might include a wider range of desires, such as living according to certain values or achieving a state of personal satisfaction, which may not always involve a linear path or measurable milestones.
Individuals with high levels of ambition are often motivated by external rewards, recognition, and the attainment of power or status. They are characterized by their relentless pursuit of goals. Aspirations, while they can also be about achieving success, are more likely to incorporate elements of self-actualization and fulfillment that are not solely dependent on external validation or material success.
Both ambition and aspiration are important for personal development, but they operate differently. Ambition pushes individuals to set goals and work tirelessly towards them, often with a focus on the outcome. Aspirations, while they can motivate action, tend to be more reflective, focusing on broader life objectives and personal values rather than specific achievements.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Strong desire to achieve success
Hopeful desire for future achievements
Focus
Determination, goals, success
Ideals, values, long-term goals
Nature
Aggressive, competitive
Inspirational, growth-oriented
Motivation
External rewards, recognition
Self-actualization, fulfillment
Path
Specific, often linear
Broad, not always linear
Compare with Definitions
Ambition
A strong desire to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.
Her ambition to become a doctor motivated her through years of study.
Aspiration
Long-term goals or dreams.
Writing a novel was always her aspiration.
Ambition
Determination to succeed.
Ambition drove him to work late nights on his project.
Aspiration
Desires for personal achievement.
His aspirations include both professional success and personal happiness.
Ambition
The object of this desire.
Gaining the championship title was his greatest ambition.
Aspiration
A hope or ambition of achieving something.
Her aspiration to travel the world inspired her savings plan.
Ambition
Desire for achievement or distinction.
His ambition is to lead the team to success.
Aspiration
The act of aspiring or aiming to achieve.
Through his aspiration, he sought to improve his community.
Ambition
A goal or objective desired.
Owning a home is a common ambition.
Aspiration
Ideals guiding one's ambitions.
Living a life of meaning and purpose is a fundamental aspiration.
Ambition
An eager or strong desire to achieve something, such as fame or power.
Aspiration
Expulsion of breath in speech.
Ambition
The object or goal desired
Her ambition is the presidency.
Aspiration
The pronunciation of a consonant with an aspirate.
Ambition
Desire for exertion or activity; energy
Had no ambition to go dancing.
Aspiration
A speech sound produced with an aspirate.
Ambition
Eager or inordinate desire for some object that confers distinction, as preferment, honor, superiority, political power, or fame; desire to distinguish one's self from other people.
My son, John, wants to be a firefighter very much. He has a lot of ambition.
Aspiration
The act of breathing in; inhalation.
Ambition
(countable) An object of an ardent desire.
My ambition is to own a helicopter.
Aspiration
The act of drawing something, as liquid or a foreign object, into the respiratory tract when taking a breath.
Ambition
A desire, as in (sense 1), for another person to achieve these things.
Aspiration
(Medicine) The process of removing fluids or gases from the body with a suction device.
Ambition
(uncountable) A personal quality similar to motivation, not necessarily tied to a single goal.
Aspiration
A strong desire for high achievement.
Ambition
(obsolete) The act of going about to solicit or obtain an office, or any other object of desire; canvassing.
Aspiration
An object of such desire; an ambition.
Ambition
To seek after ambitiously or eagerly; to covet.
Aspiration
The act of aspiring or ardently desiring; an ardent wish or desire, chiefly after what is elevated or spiritual (with common adjunct adpositions being to and of).
Riley has an aspiration to become a doctor.
Morgan has an aspiration of winning the game.
Ambition
The act of going about to solicit or obtain an office, or any other object of desire; canvassing.
[I] used no ambition to commend my deeds.
Aspiration
The action of aspirating.
Ambition
An eager, and sometimes an inordinate, desire for preferment, honor, superiority, power, or the attainment of something.
Cromwell, I charge thee, fling a way ambition:By that sin fell the angels.
The pitiful ambition of possessing five or six thousand more acres.
Aspiration
(phonetics) A burst of air that follows the release of some consonants.
Ambition
To seek after ambitiously or eagerly; to covet.
Pausanias, ambitioning the sovereignty of Greece, bargains with Xerxes for his daughter in marriage.
Aspiration
The act of aspirating; the pronunciation of a letter with a full or strong emission of breath; an aspirated sound.
If aspiration be defined to be an impetus of breathing.
Ambition
A cherished desire;
His ambition is to own his own business
Aspiration
The act of breathing; a breath; an inspiration.
Ambition
A strong drive for success
Aspiration
The act of aspiring of a ardently desiring; strong wish; high desire.
Vague aspiration after military renown.
Ambition
Have as one's ambition
Aspiration
A will to succeed
Aspiration
A cherished desire;
His ambition is to own his own business
Aspiration
A manner of articulation involving an audible release of breath
Aspiration
The act of inhaling; the drawing in of air (or other gases) as in breathing
Common Curiosities
Can ambition be part of an aspiration?
Yes, ambition can be a component of aspiration when it serves as the driving force towards achieving broader aspirations.
What is aspiration?
Aspiration refers to a hope or desire for achieving future goals, typically emphasizing ideals and personal growth.
How do ambition and aspiration differ in focus?
Ambition focuses on achieving specific successes and goals, whereas aspiration is more about hoping to achieve broader life objectives.
What is ambition?
Ambition is a strong desire and determination to achieve success, power, or fame, often with specific goals in mind.
Is ambition negative?
While ambition is sometimes viewed negatively due to its association with competitiveness, it is not inherently bad and can be a powerful motivator for success.
Can aspirations change over time?
Yes, aspirations can evolve as individuals grow and their perspectives and values shift.
Can ambition lead to happiness?
While ambition can lead to achievements and success, true happiness often requires balancing ambition with aspirations that include personal fulfillment and values.
Are aspirations always achievable?
Aspirations may not always be realistically achievable, but they serve as important guiding ideals and motivations.
How do people balance ambition and aspiration?
Balancing ambition and aspiration involves aligning personal goals with broader life values and ideals, ensuring that the pursuit of success does not compromise personal growth and happiness.
Why is it important to have aspirations?
Aspirations are important as they provide direction, motivate personal development, and help individuals strive for meaningful achievements.
How do ambition and aspiration influence career choices?
Ambition often drives individuals towards career paths that promise success and recognition, while aspirations influence choices based on personal values and long-term fulfillment.
Are ambitious people more successful?
Ambitious people are often more driven to achieve specific goals, which can lead to success, but success also depends on how it is defined and pursued.
Is it better to be ambitious or aspirational?
Neither is inherently better; a balance between ambition and aspiration is ideal for achieving both success and personal fulfillment.
How does society view ambition and aspiration?
Society often celebrates ambition and aspiration, though the former can be criticized if it leads to unethical behavior or excessive competitiveness.
How can aspirations impact personal relationships?
Aspirations that focus on personal growth and values can positively impact relationships by fostering deeper connections and shared goals.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
