thirst for fame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thirst for fame" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone's strong desire or ambition for recognition or notoriety. For example, "John had a strong thirst for fame, so he pursued a career as a professional athlete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

These men were fired by different impulses — religion, scientific inquiry and a thirst for fame — but they were not driven (at least not primarily) by a desire to stamp British imperial authority on the empty spaces of the map.

The New York Times - Books

I look at people like Paris Hilton and I'm not sure that I'm concerned about how they're affecting things on a feminist level; I'm more aware of people's unquenchable thirst for fame and to be noticed and heard.

The Guardian

The thirst for fame that burns inside Momma Rose is partly the quasi-existential yearning that haunts any soul hungry for more than the world can give, but it is also born of the all-American glorification of success.

The New York Times

The fans shouting to be heard are attention seekers from the same family tree that produced Rollen Stewart, whose thirst for fame in the late 1970s spurred him to attend major sporting events, including the Super Bowl and the Masters, wearing a rainbow-colored Afro-style wig and positioning himself where the television cameras could not avoid him.

The New York Times - Sports

Buried among a mass of his papers in a Texas university, it contradicts assumptions often made about his "anti-war" stance:    Because we are going from    our wonted places    To be task-ridden by one shattering Aim,    And terror hides in all our laughing faces    That had no will to die, no thirst for fame,    Hear our last word.

The Guardian - Books

Her thirst for fame only worsened matters.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Today, interest in storm chasing has surged, and a preponderance of amateurs with video cameras and a thirst for YouTube fame now jockey with seasoned professionals to see who can get the closest and most dramatic images of churning storms, causing some veterans to worry about a growing safety threat.

The New York Times

Furies of invention, the city kids who bombed the trains and scribbled over beats pushed themselves to ever-greater heights of innovation, out of a thirst for local fame and for the pleasure of communicating in a code that moved too fast for outsiders -- especially adults -- to break.

The New York Times

The original, one of the richest troves of Elizabethean-Jacobean street talk, creates a world in which everyone is corrupted by money, ambition and the thirst for a moment of fame.

The New York Times

The magi discovered that a thirst for power, pleasure, wealth, and fame will only leave us wanting more, and that we can have hope and true peace in the midst of our human temptations and struggles.

Huffington Post

Dimon striding through the Council On Foreign Relations or Brookings with the huddled masses in his audience - and on the dais - beaming their adulation as they bask in his fame and thirst for his wisdom on the great affairs of the world.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thirst for fame" when discussing individuals or entities actively seeking widespread recognition and public attention, particularly in contexts where this desire is a driving force behind their actions.

Common error

Avoid using "thirst for fame" in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "desire for recognition" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thirst for fame" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a strong desire or ambition for public recognition. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples from varied sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thirst for fame" is a noun phrase used to describe a strong desire for public recognition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, its connotations can range from ambition to a critical depiction of vanity. Related phrases include "yearning for recognition" and "desire for celebrity", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts. When using this phrase, consider its intensity and appropriateness for the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yearning for recognition

Replaces "thirst" with "yearning", emphasizing a deep longing for acknowledgement.

desire for celebrity

Substitutes "fame" with "celebrity", highlighting the wish to be widely known and admired.

hunger for stardom

Uses "hunger" instead of "thirst" and "stardom" in place of "fame", both intensifying the desire.

ambition for renown

Replaces "thirst" with "ambition" and "fame" with "renown", giving a more formal tone.

craving for public acclaim

Emphasizes the desire for positive public opinion and praise.

longing for notoriety

Focuses on the desire to be known, even if for negative reasons.

pursuit of recognition

Highlights the active effort to achieve fame and acknowledgement.

quest for prominence

Suggests a determined search for a leading position in the public eye.

itch for the limelight

Uses a more informal and colloquial expression for seeking attention.

drive for public attention

Focuses on the underlying motivation to gain notice from the general public.

FAQs

How can I use "thirst for fame" in a sentence?

You can use "thirst for fame" to describe someone's intense desire for recognition. For example: "His "thirst for fame" drove him to take extreme measures."

What are some alternatives to "thirst for fame"?

Alternatives include "yearning for recognition", "desire for celebrity", or "hunger for stardom", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "thirst for fame" a positive or negative attribute?

It can be viewed both positively and negatively. It can signify ambition and drive, but also excessive vanity or desperation for attention. The context determines the connotation.

What is the difference between "thirst for fame" and "desire for success"?

"Thirst for fame" specifically relates to wanting public recognition and attention, whereas "desire for success" is broader and encompasses achieving goals and accomplishments, regardless of whether they are publicly recognized.