Overambition: meaning, definitions and examples
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overambition
[ ˌoʊvəræmˈbɪʃən ]
excessive ambition
Overambition refers to an excessive or unrealistic desire to achieve more than is reasonable or attainable. It often leads individuals to overextend themselves in their pursuits, causing stress or burnout. While ambition can drive success, overambition might result in poor decision-making or disappointment when goals are not met. This term can also imply a lack of balance between personal and professional life due to relentless striving for more.
Synonyms
aspirational, driven, excessive ambition, overreaching.
Examples of usage
- His overambition led to his downfall.
- She learned to temper her overambition with realistic goals.
- Overambition can often result in burnout among employees.
- The student's overambition caused him to neglect his health.
Translations
Translations of the word "overambition" in other languages:
🇵🇹 superambição
🇮🇳 अधिक महत्वाकांक्षा
🇩🇪 Überambition
🇮🇩 overambisi
🇺🇦 надмірна амбіція
🇵🇱 nadmierna ambicja
🇯🇵 過剰な野心
🇫🇷 surambition
🇪🇸 sobreambición
🇹🇷 aşırı hırs
🇰🇷 과도한 야망
🇸🇦 طموح مفرط
🇨🇿 přehnaná ambice
🇸🇰 nadmerná ambícia
🇨🇳 过度的雄心
🇸🇮 prekomerna ambicija
🇮🇸 ofurmikill
🇰🇿 артық амбиция
🇬🇪 მეტისმეტური ამბიცია
🇦🇿 artıq ambisiya
🇲🇽 sobreambición
Etymology
The term 'overambition' is composed of the prefix 'over-' meaning excessive or too much, and 'ambition' derived from the Latin word 'ambitio', which originally referred to 'a going around' and was associated with the act of soliciting votes for political office. Over time, 'ambition' evolved to signify a strong desire for success or achievement. The combination of these two elements reflects a state where one's ambitions surpass reasonable limits. While ambition itself has been historically regarded as a positive trait, 'overambition' carries a negative connotation, suggesting that fierce determination can sometimes lead to detrimental outcomes if not kept in check. This nuanced meaning has developed in social and professional contexts, particularly as modern society places value on both achievement and well-being.