Synonyms of ambitious

ambitious

adjective

am-ˈbi-shəs 

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

• aspiring
• energetic
• ardent
• eager
• diligent
• hard-driving
• aggressive
• motivated
• go-getting
• dynamic
• pushing
• industrious
• self-seeking
• enterprising
• hungry
• avid
• spirited
• venturesome
• determined
• competitive
• scrappy
• impassioned
• vigorous
• overambitious
• opportunistic
• animated
• venturous
• hustling
• lively
• assertive
• driving
• pretentious
• pushy
• competing
• rival
• gung ho
• high-flying
• keen
• rivalrous
• raring
• self-assertive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unambitious
• disinterested
• indifferent
• uninterested
• apathetic
• unenthusiastic
• casual
• unexcited
• easygoing
• ambitionless
• lackadaisical
• lazy
• halfhearted
• tepid
• lukewarm
• sluggish
• lethargic
• shiftless
• listless
• uneager
• spiritless
• unassertive
• lazyish
• unaggressive

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

• aggressive
• adventurous
• fierce
• enterprising
• vigorous
• militant
• energetic
• assertive
• confident
• high-pressure
• in-your-face
• daring
• pushy
• go-getting
• self-assertive
• bold
• dynamic
• overambitious
• warlike
• pugnacious
• belligerent
• combative
• bellicose
• contentious
• self-asserting
• strenuous
• determined
• quarrelsome
• truculent
• adventuresome
• emphatic
• audacious
• impudent
• argumentative
• venturous
• gutsy
• hustling
• disputatious
• domineering
• venturesome
• gladiatorial
• bumptious
• insolent
• feisty
• cocky
• cheeky
• obtrusive
• trigger-happy
• unapologetic
• overconfident
• hyperaggressive
• brassy
• emboldened
• dashing
• presumptuous
• gung ho
• discordant
• brash
• scrappy
• cocksure
• overbearing
• forward
• dominating
• unyielding
• magisterial
• imperious
• unsubdued
• bare-knuckle
• lordly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unambitious
• low-pressure
• unassertive
• unaggressive
• easygoing
• relaxed
• nonassertive
• amenable
• compliant
• docile
• tractable
• ambitionless
• deferential
• submissive
• unenterprising
• modest
• timid
• passive
• acquiescent
• humble
• mild
• yielding
• resigned
• quiet
• shrinking
• shy
• laid-back
• subdued
• meek
• unobtrusive
• bashful
• diffident
• lowly
• reserved
• retiring
• servile
• mousy
• demure
• obsequious
• subservient
• slavish
• cringing
• groveling
• overmodest
• cowering

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ambitious

Below, Deadline spoke further with Hamaguchi about bringing the ambitious remake project to its conclusion, expanding its world and characters, Cloud’s emotional journey, and whether Final Fantasy VII could eventually leap to television. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

His latest work, the ambitious graphic novel Marvel Dimensions (Abrams Comics Arts), hit stores last week. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

Opened in 2009, the resort has now completed the first chapter of an ambitious three-year design transformation with stylish new restaurants, reimagined public spaces, and beautiful suites. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026

But not everyone has been thrilled about such an ambitious art museum coming to the European capital city. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 10 Sep. 2026