careerist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "careerist" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who is primarily focused on advancing their career, often at the expense of other values. Example: "Her careerist attitude often alienated her colleagues." Alternative expressions include "ambitious professional" and "self-serving employee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nor is it clear that Lee's motives are always purer than the careerist agenda he identifies elsewhere.

The Guardian

He now looks more careerist than ever.

The Guardian - Opinion

British voters complain that politics is dominated by ruthless, careerist automatons.

The Economist

On the contrary, 48% of Americans view the Clintons' marriage as a practical career relationship; and, because of this, 56% expect her to divorce Bill Clinton when he leaves office.In short, Americans see Mrs Clinton for what she is: a laser-brained careerist, who met her future husband in the Yale law library and has propelled him, not always scrupulously, to the White House.

The Economist

Instead, we see Bach the irascible youth, the ambitious careerist, the grieving husband, and the father (of 20 children, only ten of whom survived infancy) keen to send his sons to university.A fuller picture of Casals emerges.

The Economist

In a place as corrupt as Italy, the need for strong, autonomous investigating magistrates exceeds the risk of occasional abuses.The bill would concentrate responsibility for initiating criminal proceedings in the hands of chief prosecutors who, because of the job structure now created, may become more careerist and susceptible to political influence.

The Economist

But he is similarly hungry for erstwhile Labour supporters; moreover, Mr Miliband is the very type of Westminster careerist he most reviles.

The Economist

More women MPs, fewer late nights and the usual vicissitudes of modernity have put paid to the excesses; most MPs are hardworking, anxiously careerist and mildly health conscious.

The Economist

Neither deserved it, suggests Mr Blom.Voltaire, he insists, was a milquetoast careerist, too concerned with his own reputation and his comfortable life to say anything truly unsettling.

The Economist

Perhaps the measure of success in the rock pantheon includes not only penning some memorable tunes three decades ago but playing them to huge new audiences.A new careerist approach to the rock business may well have opened the door for the older generation.

The Economist

They still pillory him as a communist careerist who lied his way to the presidential palace and who, to their consternation, has emerged unscathed from their efforts to pin charges of embezzlement and past pro-Russian espionage on him, not to mention an extramarital affair.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Recognize that the term is frequently used as a pejorative in political analysis to describe politicians who lack conviction.

Common error

Do not use "careerist" as a simple synonym for someone with a long-term job. While a "career professional" is someone dedicated to their field, a "careerist" implies a lack of principles or an obsessive focus on promotion.

Linguistic Context

The word "careerist" primarily functions as a noun to identify a specific type of individual, but it is also frequently used as an adjective to modify nouns like "agenda", "code", or "approach". According to Ludwig, it often appears in the predicate to categorize a subject's character.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "careerist" is a potent term used to describe individuals whose primary focus is professional advancement, often at the cost of broader values or ethics. Data from Ludwig shows that the term is heavily utilized in News & Media to provide critical commentary on politics and corporate culture. While it can be used neutrally in specific settings like military descriptions, its most common modern usage is pejorative. Writers should distinguish it from positive terms like "ambitious" or neutral terms like "professional" to ensure they convey the intended level of skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and standard in high-quality English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ambitious professional

Offers a positive or neutral framing of career drive without the pejorative undertones.

ladder-climber

An idiomatic expression highlighting the process of ascending a corporate or social hierarchy.

opportunist

Broadens the scope to someone who exploits circumstances for personal gain, not limited to a career.

self-seeker

Focuses more on the selfish motivation behind the actions.

climber

A shorter, more informal version that often implies social or professional maneuvering.

status seeker

Emphasizes the desire for prestige and social standing over professional skill.

go-getter

Informal and generally positive, emphasizing energy and initiative.

high-flyer

Describes a person who is extremely successful or has high potential, focusing on achievement.

organization man

An older term for someone whose identity is subsumed by their corporate role.

workaholic

Focuses on the compulsion to work rather than the strategic goal of advancement.

FAQs

How do I use "careerist" in a sentence?

You can use it as a noun to describe a person, such as: "The committee was wary of the "ambitious careerist" who seemed more interested in titles than results."

Is "careerist" usually an insult?

Yes, in most modern contexts, it carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the individual is a "self-serving employee" who prioritizes their own rise over ethical considerations.

What is the difference between a careerist and someone who is ambitious?

Being "ambitious" is generally seen as a positive trait involving drive, whereas being a "careerist" implies that ambition has become narrow and potentially unscrupulous.

Can "careerist" be used as an adjective?

Yes, it often describes agendas or behaviors, for example: "He was criticized for his "careerist motives" during the reorganization."