1
[ noun ] a cherished desire

Synonyms

dream aspiration

Examples

"his ambition is to own his own business"

Used in print

(Max F. Millikan and Donald L. M. Blackmer,...)

As the historic processes of modernization gradually gain momentum , their cohesion will be threatened by divisive forces , the gaps between rulers and subjects , town and country , will widen ; new aspirants for power will emerge whose ambitions far exceed their competence ; old rulers may lose their nerve and their sense_of_direction .

(Robert L. Duncan, The Voice of Strangers....)

Even Rector himself was prey to this spirit of competition and he knew it , not for a more exalted office in the hierarchy of the church - his ambitions for the bishopry had died very early in his career - but for the one clear victory he had talked_about to the colonel .

But perhaps this was a part of the eternal plan , that man 's ambition when linked with God would be a driving , indefatigable force for good in the world .

2
[ noun ] a strong drive for success

Synonyms

ambitiousness

Used in print

(The Times-Picayune, [New Orleans]...)

For sheer ambition , take the Decca series titled modestly `` Wisdom '' .

(Tristram Coffin, Not to the Swift....)

Again , Lawrence thought a_little sadly , these were the fees of poverty and ambition .

3
[ verb ] have as one's ambition

Related terms

desire

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