OVERAMBITIOUS Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

overambitious

adjective

Definition of overambitious

as in opportunistic

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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 overambitious That original felt like an overambitious audition, all screaming guitars and synthesizer lines competing for your attention. — Ahmir “questlove” Thompson, VIBE.com, 7 June 2026 Misfires in the transfer market, a widespread injury crisis and an overambitious tactical game plan saw everything unravel. — Carl Anka, New York Times, 17 May 2026 Global carmakers have lost over $70 billion in write-offs after drastically scaling back overambitious EV production targets and consumer demand. — Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026 Meanwhile, the automaker's current lineup and product strategy feels both tired and overambitious. — Aarian Marshall, Wired News, 22 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overambitious

Adjective

According to Professor Jones, the tapestry gives us not just a story of a proud, self-regarding, opportunistic man (Harold) who overstretches himself.

— Mark Rice-Oxley, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026
Wasserman Schultz’s decision to run in the historically Black 20th Congressional District was selfish and opportunistic carpetbagging, a devastating usurpation of power from Black Floridians.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of opportunistic

Adjective

Jerry could easily be a caricature of a pretentious artiste stuck overseeing anonymous regional theater productions.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
Breaking down the song of the summer debate Music reviewers on social media are, more often than not, pretentious snobs who take themselves too seriously, but Mic The Snare is a welcome change of pace.

— Moises Mendez II, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of pretentious

Adjective

Officials called the dedication the first step in an ambitious process to improve the Tennessee airport near Parton’s final resting place.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
The staff’s efforts hit an impasse just as the office romance between Ned (Domhnall Gleeson), the paper’s by-the-book editor in chief, and Mare (Chelsea Frei), one of the few competent and ambitious reporters on staff, becomes a stress point.

— Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of ambitious

Adjective

Andersen in particular has struggled with such an aggressive role, where recovery pace and stomping channel defending are required to keep the shape.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Brown has two catches that converted third downs into firsts, providing a release valve against some aggressive Seahawks blitzes.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of aggressive

Adjective

Loosehead Boris Wenger and backrow Joaquin Moro were industrious and both scored tries while fullback Geronimo Piscatelli was a constant attacking threat, scoring one try and missing two others.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Alongside his final-third prowess, Fernandes was industrious across the pitch, playing eight passes into the final third per game, more than any other United player.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of industrious

Adjective

The stranger’s curse seems intended to inflict pain not only on the snobbish Anna, who cringes at the slob her son has become, but her pushy husband Walter (Adriano Giannini).

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2026
Shuter also pointed out that Pitt was clearly not coerced into talking about his drinking by a pushy magazine writer.

— Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of pushy

Adjective

Meanwhile, overtime can lead to fatigue for workers who are spending 10 to 12 hours on their feet, carrying heavy objects while also needing to remain diligent about their own safety.

— Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
Indeed, by the third act, a diligent archival documentary becomes humanist lightning in a bottle, illuminating the similarities between the ’90s and now.

— Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of diligent

Browse Nearby Words

overall

overambitious

overambitiousness

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“Overambitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overambitious. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of overambitious

adjective

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