ambitious
adjective
UK/æmˈbɪʃəs/US/æmˈbɪʃəs/
requiring great effort or determination
Example Sentences
Completing the marathon was an ambitious feat that required extensive training.
The ambitious construction project aimed to build a sustainable skyscraper in the city center.
They undertook an ambitious plan to revamp the entire education system.
The research study was ambitious in scope, aiming to uncover new insights into climate change.
Her ambitious schedule left little room for relaxation or leisure activities.
Launching a startup is an ambitious endeavor that involves significant risk and dedication.
The ambitious design of the bridge incorporated innovative materials and engineering techniques.
Their ambitious mission to explore Mars will push the boundaries of current space technology.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Shows a strong desire to achieve big goals or success.“Ambitious” describes individuals who harbor significant goals and the energy to realize them. They actively look for bigger challenges and better opportunities, rather than settling for their current situations. The word spans various contexts—career progression, creative pursuits, academic success, community impact, and beyond. For instance, a student might be described as ambitious if they proactively seek advanced classes or extracurriculars, while a professional earning promotions through constant innovation and commitment is equally considered ambitious. When speaking or writing about ambition, context is crucial: some forms of ambition could be inspiring—pushing oneself to exceed perceived limitations—while others might risk overreach if not tempered by responsibility or empathy. Balancing one’s aspirations with a realistic roadmap prevents burnout, fosters personal growth, and maintains healthy relationships. For instance, describing a leader as ambitious can highlight a visionary with long-term plans, but it could also caution against overemphasizing personal success at the cost of team wellbeing. In everyday usage, you might say, “She’s incredibly ambitious—she started her own tech company right out of college!” or “Their ambitious plan aims to build a community center in just six months.” In either case, the key point is a powerful desire for more, accompanied by a readiness to work diligently toward that goal. Coupled with a robust support system and thoughtful planning, ambition often drives innovation, exploration, and positive transformation across many fields of endeavor. Ultimately, using “ambitious” underscores the presence of lofty objectives and the determination to see them realized, serving as a potent reminder of how motivation and action intertwine.
Alternatives
Depending on the connotation or emphasis you’d like to convey, several alternatives capture facets of ambition. Terms like “aspiring” or “driven” highlight someone’s forward-looking approach, focusing on the energy and dedication they channel into pursuits. If you want to underscore eagerness to climb the professional ladder, “career-minded” might be apt. For a more positive spin, emphasizing hope or optimism, “visionary” could work, suggesting grand, innovative ideas that spark progress. On the other hand, if you’d like to hint at a keen hunger for power or status, “power-hungry” might come into play, though it carries a negative undertone. “Goal-oriented” underscores methodical planning and consistent effort, while “enterprising” suggests resourcefulness and initiative. Lastly, “motivated” is a catch-all term that fits many contexts, from academics to athletics. Each of these synonyms zeroes in on a slightly different shade of meaning, helping you be precise about the nature and intensity of someone’s desire for achievement. By choosing terms that best suit your context, you maintain clarity, whether praising someone’s passion or drawing attention to potential excesses of ambition.
Writing
In formal writing, using “ambitious” can strengthen your description of a person, project, or plan by highlighting its high-level goals or extensive scope. For instance, a scholarly paper might describe a research project as ambitious if it addresses complex questions or aims for wide-ranging societal implications. When praising a colleague’s achievements or introducing a new organizational strategy, carefully positioning the word “ambitious” conveys purposeful drive and dedication. When doing so, maintain balance: provide details or supporting evidence explaining why you find the goals ambitious. For example, “The team proposed an ambitious architectural design, spanning multiple green innovations and requiring substantial community investment.” By expanding on specific goals, resources, and expected outcomes, you demonstrate why you consider the plan far-reaching. This approach also avoids an empty compliment or overstatement. If “ambitious” appears multiple times in your document, consider synonyms—like “bold,” “far-reaching,” or “forward-looking”—to maintain linguistic variety and keep the prose engaging. In essence, “ambitious” is best used when you can substantiate the high stakes, wide scope, or formidable nature of the endeavor in question, ensuring your writing feels both enthusiastic and credible.
Casual Conversation
In casual conversation, describing a person or plan as “ambitious” acknowledges that they have big dreams, plenty of motivation, or a willingness to step outside their comfort zone. For instance, you might remark, “He’s really ambitious—he’s taking on a new startup while juggling a full-time job,” or “That’s an ambitious road trip, covering six national parks in just two weeks!” Such statements convey genuine admiration or mild surprise at the scale of someone’s goals. If you’re using “ambitious” to talk about yourself, it can be a humble way to share your hopes and intentions, as in “I’m aiming for an ambitious goal: learning a new language by the end of the year.” It signals that you’re ready to put in extra effort, even if the outcome is not guaranteed. This self-awareness helps others grasp the determination behind your plans without it coming across as arrogance. Whether acknowledging a friend’s ambitions or describing your own, the casual usage of “ambitious” fosters a tone of shared excitement and moral support. People generally appreciate hearing that their aspirations are recognized and validated.
Etymology
The word “ambitious” traces back to the Latin “ambitio,” which originally referred to going around public places to solicit votes or support—a key part of political life in ancient Rome. Over time, “ambition” and its adjective form “ambitious” began to mean a drive for power, success, or personal advancement. By the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance, ambition expanded beyond political contexts to describe a person’s ardent desire to improve their social status or accomplish new feats in art, exploration, or science. In the modern era, “ambitious” covers much broader territory, encompassing personal growth, academic achievement, artistic endeavors, and more. It no longer simply implies a hunger for prestige or rank—though it can, depending on context—but also the desire to push boundaries, innovate, and persist through obstacles. This evolution underscores how languages adapt to cultural shifts, reflecting changing views of what it means to strive for something greater. In essence, “ambitious” retains a sense of aspiration, shining a spotlight on the boldness and determination that fuel significant accomplishments across every realm of life.