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
-
While the Patriots offense has been opportunistic in the playoffs, the defense has been dominant.—
Boston Herald staff,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
-
There were opportunistic criminals.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But Newsom’s shadow diplomacy, widely seen as a pretentious distraction during the Biden years, has a different look at a moment of nativism and trade conflict in Washington.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
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Elevated with an ever-evolving menu of dishes in a non-pretentious yet upscale environment, Forty 1 is led by Chef Lindsey Dale who is no stranger to fresh, local ingredients, and who also works closely with local purveyors.—
David Duran,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
You’re not really allowed to be ambitious.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Stolz is halfway through his ambitious four-event program in Milan with two gold medals already.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In the meantime, an unstable government could become more rather than less aggressive, not least to keep younger hard-liners from rebelling.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
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Wiener helped push two new California laws last year — the No Secret Police Act and the No Vigilantes Act — in the wake of intense and aggressive immigration enforcement by masked ICE and other federal agents in California and around the country.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Today brings preliminary matches for women’s ice hockey, qualification runs for men’s big-air snowboarding, and, of course, more curling, which is the only sport industrious enough to have events every day through the Olympics.—
The Editors,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
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Add Giannis Antetokounmpo, and then having a group of hard-working, persistent, industrious players that succeed in the shadows is fine.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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She’s never forced or pushy, but instead warm, personable and relatable.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2026
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We’re not entirely sold on the preppy trend for spring 2026 just yet—despite the pushy PR emails clogging our inboxes.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The cases placed a spotlight on homeschooling, but some advocates said that homeschool parents are largely highly diligent about educating their children and should not be penalized for the other cases.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
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The diligent work of our law enforcement partners time and again uncovers those attempting to hide behind a computer screen.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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France has taken an assertive approach toward regulating major tech platforms, including investigations in compliance with EU digital rules.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Feb. 2026
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Stock investors have welcomed the prospect of higher spending, tax relief and a more assertive economic agenda.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overambitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overambitious. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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