Naked ambition

Thursday, 2026-9-24, Word of the Day: Naked ambition

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WotD: Naked Ambition

Naked ambition is a term used to describe a person’s strong desire to achieve success, power, or fame, without trying to hide their intentions.


When someone shows naked ambition, they are open and honest about wanting to move ahead, sometimes even at others’ expense.

A term similar to naked ambition is drive.

Some people display a strong drive to achieve success.

This level of ambition is called “naked” because it is not covered or hidden by politeness or modesty.

So, don’t worry, you can display naked ambition during a Canadian winter when you are wearing three sweaters and a thick Canada Goose coat. 

You might see naked ambition in the workplace when an employee works overtime, takes on extra tasks, and openly expresses a desire for a promotion. 

Naked ambition can also appear in sports, politics, or entertainment, where people do whatever it takes to win or become famous.

For example, a politician who clearly states they want to become president shows naked ambition. 

Naked ambition can be seen in both positive and negative ways.

On one hand, it can motivate people to work hard and achieve their goals.

On the other hand, naked ambition can sometimes make a person seem selfish or too aggressive.

While looking out for number one is important, you should balance naked ambition with respect for others and ethical behaviour. 

Here are some examples: 

  • “Her naked ambition helped her become the manager in just two years.” 
  • “The actor’s naked ambition was obvious during the audition.” 
  • “Some people admire naked ambition, while others find it off-putting.” 

Naked ambition is a powerful force that can help people reach their dreams.

However, it is important to display naked ambition wisely and remember to consider the feelings and needs of others.


Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test

This post is understandable by someone with at least a 7th-grade education (age 12).  

On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 75.  

The easier a passage is to read, the higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100. 




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