ambition

am·bi·tion (am bis̸h′ən)

noun

a strong desire to gain a particular objective; specif., the drive to succeed, or to gain fame, power, wealth, etc.
the objective strongly desired

Etymology: ME < OFr < L ambitio, a going around (to solicit votes) < pp. of ambire: see ambient

transitive verb

Rare to be ambitious for

Eager desire
aspiration, ambitiousness, drive, enterprise, hope, earnestness, appetite for fame, yearning, eagerness, longing, hankering, craving, passion, lust, itch, hunger, thirst, appetite, avidity, energy, ardor, zeal, enthusiasm, spirit, vigor, hunger for power, love of glory, eagerness for distinction, emulation, get-up-and-go*, push*, what it takes*. *
Antonyms indifference*, apathy*, laziness. *
The object of desire
aim, goal, objective, dream; see purpose 1.

Preposition: of

mine: This has always been a life-long ambition of mine.

Possessives

lifetime: Failure makes more interesting copy than success but try telling that to a proud man who has just achieved his lifetime's ambition.

Converse of object

fulfill: Anne Fenner, who is nearly 80, rode on the footplate of the WD from Holt to Sheringham, fulfilling a lifelong ambition.
thwart: It will embolden those who are trying to thwart the ambitions of reformers.
fulfill: On May the 19th, I was fortunate enough to fulfill an ambition of many years - 19 to be exact.
realize: To realize this ambition, however, skilled staff are the vital catalyst.
harbor: Did you always harbor film ambitions tucked away deep within your own personal balance sheet?
frustrate: For strategic purposes, Turkey had every reason to want to frustrate Russian ambitions and expand its own territorial gains northwards.

Adjective modifier

selfish: Ali's selfish ambition drove him to almost any action to obtain this power.
long-held: Writing his weekly " Whalley Beat " column for the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times had encouraged him to fulfill his long-held ambition.
lifelong: Why RNIB " I am looking forward to achieving a lifelong ambition.
life-long: This has always been a life-long ambition of mine.
unfulfilled: Her big unfulfilled ambition is to get a novel in print.
lofty: A lofty ambition, I know, but I think I'm up to it.

Noun used with modifier

federalist: It clearly shows the federalist ambitions of the European project then and now.
burning: Mario's burning ambition at the moment is to defect.
lifetime: On January 24th I passed my flying test and achieved a lifetime ambition of becoming a qualified pilot!
childhood: In my late 20's, I returned to college to study Architecture, my childhood ambition, gaining an Honors degree and post-graduate diploma.
sporting: So far she has found the university very supportive in helping her to keep both her educational and sporting ambitions.
career: The course offers a choice of subject pathways to suit a wide range of career ambitions.

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