ambitious

adjective

am-ˈbi-shəs How to pronounce ambitious (audio)
Definition of ambitiousnext
1
as in aspiring
having a strong desire for personal advancement an ambitious child actor and his even more ambitious mother, who will do anything to get him in commercials

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in aggressive
having or showing a bold forcefulness in the pursuit of a goal cleaning up the vacant lot in one weekend was an ambitious undertaking

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 ambitious And for those feeling particularly ambitious, there’s always urban gardening. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 This summer has been particularly nostalgia-heavy for Club90s, which launched an ambitious 20-date Michael Jackson Night tour in July. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026 For India, the invitation to join NASA's Moon Base program comes as the country pursues its own ambitious lunar exploration and human spaceflight roadmap. — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026 At its most ambitious, the series allegorizes John and Hal’s disparate relationships to fear as a younger Black man and an older white one. — Judy Berman, Time, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ambitious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambitious
  1. aspiring
  2. aggressive
  3. adventurous
  4. fierce
Adjective
  • The pair are best friends of Fabian Salah, an aspiring musician who makes up one half of the main couple in that novel alongside hockey player Ryan Price.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Then there’s Casey Trotter as an aspiring drummer named Cliff.
    — Sarah Hearon, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of aspiring
Adjective
  • His preference for a 4-2-3-1 has been evident, however, and the German is looking for Newcastle to be aggressive in the press, intensive and also direct, with a plan to get the ball forward as quickly as possible.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Throughout his scuffles, however, Boone felt Grisham had gotten more aggressive inside the strike zone.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • Chris Strouthopoulos is the founder of Ascent Empowerment, which helps adventurous men beat professional burnout.
    — Chris Strouthopoulos, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Lenae welcomes an adventurous curiosity without being too hard on herself when her heart ends up on the chopping block.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of adventurous
Adjective
  • The scores carry over, promising a fierce battle for the national title, with Rivera aiming for multiple championships.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The diggers than turned to keeping themselves and two injured skiers alive amid the fierce blizzard.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of fierce

Browse Nearby Words

ambitions
ambitious
ambitiousness
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Cite this Entry

“Ambitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambitious. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of ambitious for Spanish Speakers

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