as in opportunistic
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Recent Examples of overambitious
Pursuing a double major—especially in two demanding or loosely connected fields—can, in some circumstances, come across as idealistic, unfocused, or overambitious.
—
Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, the automaker's current lineup and product strategy feels both tired and overambitious.
—Aarian Marshall, Wired News, 22 Dec. 2025
And, in an overambitious initial public offering early this year, the company sought a market valuation approaching $110 billion—double that of Cheniere—while riding the pro-fossil fuel, Trump inauguration wave—only for its market cap to plunge to a low of $17 billion in early April.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2025
But the Spaniard’s absence was just one part of a perfect storm, with a lack of athleticism in his replacements — and an overambitious pressing structure — only amplifying City’s lack of control after losing the ball.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Taylor Pyke’s great expectations for her Mundelein softball career weren’t overambitious.
—Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Whether a technological triumph or an overambitious experiment, there’s no denying that the Zumwalt-class is a warship like no other.
—Interesting Engineering, 28 Feb. 2025
Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, the automaker's current lineup and product strategy feels both tired and overambitious.
—Aarian Marshall, Wired News, 22 Dec. 2025
And, in an overambitious initial public offering early this year, the company sought a market valuation approaching $110 billion—double that of Cheniere—while riding the pro-fossil fuel, Trump inauguration wave—only for its market cap to plunge to a low of $17 billion in early April.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2025
But the Spaniard’s absence was just one part of a perfect storm, with a lack of athleticism in his replacements — and an overambitious pressing structure — only amplifying City’s lack of control after losing the ball.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Taylor Pyke’s great expectations for her Mundelein softball career weren’t overambitious.
—Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Whether a technological triumph or an overambitious experiment, there’s no denying that the Zumwalt-class is a warship like no other.
—Interesting Engineering, 28 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overambitious
Adjective
-
Raccoons are clever, opportunistic feeders, eating whatever’s readily available, including plant and animal matter, garbage, pet food, bird seed, vegetable gardens, and eggs from chicken coops.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
6 May 2026
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As such, the opportunistic pathogen is most often found in people with HIV/AIDS, cancers, and diabetes, as well as those on powerful immunosuppressive drugs, like transplant patients.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
There’s nothing pretentious here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
-
Crafted from 100 percent Italian calf suede and finished with smooth nappa leather, this crossbody bag is elegant from top to bottom without being pretentious.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This sort of attention to dessert is otherwise increasingly rare; too many ambitious kitchens pour all their resources into their savory menus and then punt on the sweet courses, serving a scoop of gelato in a fancy coupe, or a slice of cake assembled off-site.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
-
To this day, Galaxy and its sequel are the series’ most conceptually ambitious entries.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Boston Red Sox could be aggressive, and have the prospects to swing a deal.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
In 1981, reggae artist Bob Marley died in a Miami hospital at age 36 after battling an aggressive skin cancer.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
The pop of gloves and laughter of children rang through the field for a while — until a few industrious boys and girls got their manos on bolígrafos.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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The social media content that comes out of the sprawling music festival screams spontaneity, but industrious planning is often buzzing behind the scenes weeks, or sometimes even months, in advance.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Our guidance to them was to be helpful to clients, suggestive as opposed to pushy and to allow consumers plenty of room to experiment/sample.—
Jenny B. Fine,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
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And not in the usual way, not by being showy or pushy or big-footing her way into something.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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In the end, after a monthslong investigation and diligent forensic work, partial remains of 70 of the 110 victims were identified and returned to family members who, to this day, carry the pain of that day in 1996.—
Hank Tester,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
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The Devil’s Chair Trail was previously closed because of storm damage, but reopened about two weeks ago, thanks to the diligent work of county staff.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
The club was organized, assertive and dangerous in possession.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
That didn’t stop Rushing from asserting his place, or from even being assertive in doing so.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overambitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overambitious. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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