The word Overambitious (adjective) describes someone or something that sets goals or expectations that are excessively high or unrealistic. In this guide, you’ll learn the full definition, synonyms, antonyms, etymology, and real-life examples of how to use Overambitious correctly in sentences.
Overambitious Explained in Depth
A complete and detailed guide to the word Overambitious including meaning, definition, examples, etymology, synonyms, and antonyms.
Meanings of Overambitious
Being overambitious means having goals, plans, or aspirations that are too grand or unrealistic to achieve. It often implies a lack of practicality or awareness of limitations, whether personal, physical, or situational.
Definition
Overambitious refers to someone who aims for more than what is realistically attainable, often resulting in failure or frustration. It can describe people, projects, or plans that are overly bold or idealistic without enough grounding in reality.
Etymology
The word overambitious combines “over,” meaning “too much,” with “ambitious,” which comes from Latin ambitiosus, meaning “eager for honor.” The prefix “over-” adds the sense of excess, creating a word that signifies excessive or unrealistic ambition.
Example Sentences
- His overambitious plan to write a novel in a week quickly failed.
- The company’s overambitious expansion led to financial trouble.
- She’s talented, but sometimes her goals are a bit overambitious for the timeline.
Overambitious Synonyms
- Unrealistic
- Overconfident
- Overreaching
- Grandiose
- Impractical
- Idealistic
- Quixotic
- Visionary
- Unreasonable
- Too eager
Overambitious Antonyms
- Practical
- Realistic
- Sensible
- Reasonable
- Modest
- Grounded
- Balanced
- Measured
- Cautious
- Conservative
FAQs about Overambitious
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the word “Overambitious”
1. What does “overambitious” actually mean?
“Overambitious” refers to someone or something that aims too high or sets goals that are likely unattainable or unrealistic.
2. Is being overambitious a bad thing?
Not always, but it can lead to disappointment or burnout if goals are consistently set too high without proper planning or resources.
3. Can a project be overambitious?
Yes, projects with unrealistic timelines, budgets, or expectations are often labeled overambitious.
4. How is “overambitious” different from “ambitious”?
“Ambitious” is generally positive and describes a strong desire to succeed. “Overambitious” implies that the ambition has gone too far and is impractical.
5. Is overambition common in workplaces?
Yes, especially in competitive environments where people may set extreme goals to stand out or impress others.