ruthless ambition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ruthless ambition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong desire to achieve success or power, often at the expense of ethics or others' well-being. Example: "Her ruthless ambition drove her to eliminate any competition, no matter the cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

His critics point to a ruthless ambition.

The Economist

So ruthless ambition is something she shares with her heroine.

The Guardian - Books

Snakey Petyr Bealish is a master spy whose ruthless ambition has earned him many enemies.

The Guardian - Tech

It requires a certain ruthless ambition to make the world a better place.

The New York Times - Magazine

Her magic spells call for real staging magic that never happens, and Armida's ruthless ambition seldom comes through.

The New York Times - Arts

Michael Pitt plays driver Jimmy Carmody, whose ruthless ambition propels Nucky Thompson, played by Steve Buscemi, further into organised crime.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

The loves, passions and ruthless ambitions of women in today's Hollywood.

The New York Times - Books

The loves and ruthless ambitions of women in today's Hollywood.

The New York Times - Books

The development of the action on two planes, one political and historical, the other psychological, is masterly and is set against a background of turbulent events and ruthless ambitions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She never mentioned her father, but quoted Lee Atwater, the Republican strategist who wrote that America was suffering from a "spiritual vacuum," caught up in its "ruthless ambitions and moral decay," before he died of cancer at age 40 in 1991.

The New York Times

Sample review: "Despite interference by crooked cops (Giancarlo Esposito, Tony Cucci), old school Mafiosi (Burt Young, Dominic Lombardozzi) and a stylish but lethal Harlem crime boss named Hollywood Nicky (rapper Sean Combs, well-cast and convincing), the three comrades easily fulfill their ruthless ambitions".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ruthless ambition", ensure the context clearly justifies the strong adjective. It is most effective when highlighting a character's or entity's willingness to disregard ethical considerations for personal gain.

Common error

Avoid using "ruthless ambition" when describing general motivation or aspirations. The adjective implies a disregard for others' well-being, so ensure the situation warrants such a strong descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ruthless ambition" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "ruthless" modifies the noun "ambition". Ludwig examples show it describes a strong desire for achievement, often implying a willingness to disregard moral principles. Ludwig AI validates this construction as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Books

15%

Politics

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ruthless ambition" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a strong desire for success coupled with a willingness to disregard ethical principles. As validated by Ludwig AI, it is used across various contexts, particularly in news, literature, and discussions of political figures. The phrase carries a neutral tone, but the adjective "ruthless" often suggests disapproval. While alternatives like "unrelenting drive" or "unstoppable desire" can soften the negative connotation, it's important to ensure the context justifies such a strong adjective. The phrase serves to highlight and critique actions perceived as unethical in the pursuit of success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unscrupulous pursuit

Emphasizes the potential disregard for ethics in the pursuit.

cutthroat aspiration

Highlights the competitive and potentially harmful nature of the ambition using "cutthroat".

unrelenting drive

Emphasizes persistent effort and determination, diminishing the negative implication of "ruthless".

relentless quest for advancement

Highlights the continuous and determined effort toward progress, avoiding the harshness of "ruthless".

unstoppable desire

Focuses on the intensity of the desire while avoiding the negative connotation of "ruthless".

insatiable hunger for success

Uses the metaphor of hunger to illustrate a strong need for achievement, removing the active agent.

boundless craving for power

Focuses on the desire for power rather than general ambition.

intense competitive spirit

Softens the negativity by focusing on the competitive aspect, not the potential harm.

dogged pursuit of objectives

Emphasizes persistence and determination in achieving goals, reducing negative connotations.

overriding objective

Focuses on the importance and precedence of the goal, minimizing the implied negative behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "ruthless ambition" in a sentence?

You can use "ruthless ambition" to describe someone who is willing to do anything to achieve their goals, such as: "Her "ruthless ambition" drove her to betray her colleagues." or "The CEO's "ruthless ambition" led the company to success, but at the cost of its employees' well-being."

What are some synonyms for "ruthless ambition"?

Synonyms for "ruthless ambition" include "unrelenting drive", "unstoppable desire", or "cutthroat aspiration", each carrying slightly different connotations.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "ruthless ambition"?

Use "ruthless ambition" when you want to emphasize that someone's desire to succeed is so strong that they are willing to act without consideration for others or ethical principles. It is appropriate when there is a clear indication of disregard for moral boundaries.

What is the difference between "ruthless ambition" and "strong ambition"?

"Strong ambition" simply describes a powerful desire to achieve something. "Ruthless ambition" adds the implication that the person is willing to act in an unethical or harmful way to achieve their goals. The key difference lies in the disregard for others' well-being.