Ambition vs. Drive — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 21, 2024
Ambition is the desire for personal achievement or recognition, whereas drive is the intrinsic motivation that propels one to pursue goals.
Difference Between Ambition and Drive
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Ambition often manifests as a clear desire for rank, power, or attainable achievements in one's career or personal life. Drive, on the other hand, involves a deeper, self-motivating push that compels an individual to act towards goals regardless of recognition.
Individuals with ambition usually set specific goals that lead to external rewards or positions of status. Whereas, those with drive are often motivated by internal satisfaction and the personal fulfillment they gain from overcoming challenges.
Ambition can sometimes depend on external factors such as opportunities for promotion or public recognition. Drive, however, is typically more resilient to external conditions, stemming largely from an individual’s core values and personal standards.
Ambition is often associated with achieving a particular level of success or specific milestones. In contrast, drive is about the relentless pursuit of these goals, often without a definitive endpoint in sight.
The societal perception of ambition may sometimes carry a negative connotation, suggesting a selfish or ego-centric approach. Drive, conversely, is generally viewed positively, as it implies a strong work ethic and a commitment to personal growth.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Desire for achievements or recognition
Intrinsic motivation to pursue goals
Motivation
Often extrinsic (external rewards)
Primarily intrinsic (self-motivation)
Goals
Specific and milestone-oriented
Continuous and process-oriented
Dependence
On external opportunities and rewards
On personal values and standards
Societal view
Sometimes negative (selfish)
Generally positive (strong ethic)
Compare with Definitions
Ambition
Aiming for higher status.
Their ambition for a luxurious lifestyle kept them motivated.
Drive
Relentless determination to succeed.
His drive to improve was unstoppable.
Ambition
Desire for success or recognition.
His ambition led him to pursue the position of CEO.
Drive
Stamina to continue despite challenges.
Their drive kept them going through difficult times.
Ambition
Drive for personal advancement.
His ambition makes him a competitive candidate.
Drive
Internal compulsion to achieve goals.
Her drive made her an exceptional athlete.
Ambition
Seeking specific achievements.
The team's ambition was to win the championship.
Drive
Self-motivated pursuit of a passion.
His drive to innovate spurred remarkable inventions.
Ambition
Aspiration to achieve a particular goal.
Her ambition to become a doctor was evident early on.
Drive
Force that propels someone forward.
Her drive to help others led her to start a charity.
Ambition
An eager or strong desire to achieve something, such as fame or power.
Drive
Operate and control the direction and speed of a motor vehicle
They drove back into town
He got into his car and drove off
Ambition
The object or goal desired
Her ambition is the presidency.
Drive
Propel or carry along by force in a specified direction
The wind will drive you onshore
Ambition
Desire for exertion or activity; energy
Had no ambition to go dancing.
Drive
Urge or force (animals or people) to move in a specified direction
The French infantry were driven back
They drove a flock of sheep through the centre of the city
Ambition
Eager or inordinate desire for some object that confers distinction, as preferment, honor, superiority, political power, or fame; desire to distinguish one's self from other people.
My son, John, wants to be a firefighter very much. He has a lot of ambition.
Drive
(of a fact or feeling) compel (someone) to act in a particular way, especially one that is considered undesirable or inappropriate
He was driven by ambition
Some people are driven to murder their tormentors
Ambition
(countable) An object of an ardent desire.
My ambition is to own a helicopter.
Drive
A trip or journey in a car
They went for a drive in the country
Ambition
A desire, as in (sense 1), for another person to achieve these things.
Drive
An organized effort by a number of people to achieve a purpose
A recruitment drive by the police
Ambition
(uncountable) A personal quality similar to motivation, not necessarily tied to a single goal.
Drive
The transmission of power to machinery or to the wheels of a motor vehicle
He experimented with chain drive to run the propeller
Ambition
(obsolete) The act of going about to solicit or obtain an office, or any other object of desire; canvassing.
Drive
(in ball games) a forceful stroke made with a free swing of the bat, racket, or foot against the ball
A hard drive to left field
Ambition
To seek after ambitiously or eagerly; to covet.
Drive
An act of driving a group of animals to a particular destination
Cattle were no longer taken on long drives, but were delivered by rail
Ambition
The act of going about to solicit or obtain an office, or any other object of desire; canvassing.
[I] used no ambition to commend my deeds.
Drive
To push, propel, or press onward forcibly; urge forward
Drove the horses into the corral.
Ambition
An eager, and sometimes an inordinate, desire for preferment, honor, superiority, power, or the attainment of something.
Cromwell, I charge thee, fling a way ambition:By that sin fell the angels.
The pitiful ambition of possessing five or six thousand more acres.
Drive
To repulse or put to flight by force or influence
Drove the attackers away.
Drove out any thought of failure.
Ambition
To seek after ambitiously or eagerly; to covet.
Pausanias, ambitioning the sovereignty of Greece, bargains with Xerxes for his daughter in marriage.
Drive
To guide, control, or direct (a vehicle).
Ambition
A cherished desire;
His ambition is to own his own business
Drive
To convey or transport in a vehicle
Drove the children to school.
Ambition
A strong drive for success
Drive
To traverse in a vehicle
Drive the freeways to work.
Ambition
Have as one's ambition
Drive
To supply the motive force or power to and cause to function
Steam drives the engine.
Drive
To cause or sustain, as if by supplying force or power
"The current merger mania is apparently driven by an urge ... to reduce risk or to exploit opportunities in a very rapidly changing business environment" (Peter Passell).
Drive
To compel or force to work, often excessively
"Every serious dancer is driven by notions of perfection—perfect expressiveness, perfect technique" (Susan Sontag).
Drive
To force into or from a particular act or state
Indecision drives me crazy.
Drive
To force to go through or penetrate
Drove the stake into the ground.
Drive
To create or produce by penetrating forcibly
The nail drove a hole in the tire.
Drive
To carry through vigorously to a conclusion
Drove home his point.
Drive a hard bargain.
Drive
(Sports) To throw, strike, or cast (a ball, for example) hard or rapidly.
Drive
(Basketball) To move with the ball directly through
Drove the lane and scored.
Drive
(Baseball) To cause (a run or runner) to be scored by batting. Often used with in.
Drive
(Football) To advance the ball over (certain yardage) in plays from scrimmage.
Drive
To chase (game) into the open or into traps or nets.
Drive
To search (an area) for game in such a manner.
Drive
To move along or advance quickly
We could hear the trucks driving along the highway.
Drive
To rush, dash, or advance violently against an obstruction
The wind drove into my face.
Drive
To operate a vehicle, such as a car
How long has he been driving?.
Drive
To go or be transported in a vehicle
We all got in the car and drove to the supermarket.
Drive
(Sports) To hit, throw, or impel a ball or other missile forcibly.
Drive
(Basketball) To move directly to the basket with the ball.
Drive
(Football) To advance the ball in plays from scrimmage.
Drive
To make an effort to reach or achieve an objective; aim.
Drive
The act of driving
Took the car out for a drive after dinner.
Drive
A trip or journey in a vehicle
It's a long drive to Eau Claire from here.
Drive
Abbr. Dr. A road for automobiles and other vehicles.
Drive
The means or apparatus for transmitting motion or power to a machine or from one machine part to another.
Drive
The position or operating condition of such a mechanism
"He put his car into drive and started home" (Charles Baxter).
Drive
The means by which automotive power is applied to a roadway
Four-wheel drive.
Drive
The means or apparatus for controlling and directing an automobile
Right-hand drive.
Drive
(Computers) A device that reads data from and often writes data onto a storage medium, such as an optical disc or flash memory.
Drive
A strong organized effort to accomplish a purpose
A drive to finish the project before the deadline.
Drive
Energy, push, or aggressiveness
An executive with a lot of drive.
Drive
(Psychology) A strong motivating tendency or instinct related to self-preservation, reproduction, or aggression that prompts activity toward a particular end.
Drive
A massive, sustained military offensive.
Drive
(Sports) The act of hitting, knocking, or thrusting a ball very swiftly.
Drive
(Sports) The stroke or thrust by which a ball is driven
An awkward drive on the first tee that sent the ball into the woods.
Drive
(Sports) The ball or puck as it is propelled
The goalie stopped a hard drive in the opening minute.
Drive
(Basketball) The act of moving with the ball directly to the basket.
Drive
(Football) A series of downs in which the ball is advanced by the offensive team.
Drive
A rounding up and driving of livestock to new pastures or to market.
Drive
A gathering and driving of logs down a river.
Drive
The cattle or logs thus driven.
Drive
Planned, usually long-lasting, effort to achieve something; ability coupled with ambition, determination, and motivation.
Crassus had wealth and wit, but Pompey had drive and Caesar as much again.
Drive
Violent or rapid motion; a rushing onward or away; especially, a forced or hurried dispatch of business.
Drive
An act of driving (prompting) game animals forward, to be captured or hunted.
Drive
An act of driving (prompting) livestock animals forward, to transport a herd.
Drive
(military) A sustained advance in the face of the enemy to take a strategic objective.
Napoleon's drive on Moscow was as determined as it was disastrous.
Drive
A mechanism used to power or give motion to a vehicle or other machine or machine part.
A typical steam drive
A nuclear drive
Chain drive
Front-wheel drive
Some old model trains have clockwork drives.
Drive
A trip made in a vehicle (now generally in a motor vehicle).
It was a long drive.
Drive
A driveway.
The mansion had a long, tree-lined drive.
Drive
A type of public roadway.
Beverly Hills’ most famous street is Rodeo Drive.
Drive
(dated) A place suitable or agreeable for driving; a road prepared for driving.
Drive
(psychology) Desire or interest.
Drive
(computer hardware) An apparatus for reading and writing data to or from a mass storage device such as a disk.
Floppy drive
Drive
(computer hardware) A mass storage device in which the mechanism for reading and writing data is integrated with the mechanism for storing data.
Drive
(golf) A stroke made with a driver.
Drive
A ball struck in a flat trajectory.
Drive
(cricket) A type of shot played by swinging the bat in a vertical arc, through the line of the ball, and hitting it along the ground, normally between cover and midwicket.
Drive
(soccer) A straight level shot or pass.
Drive
(American football) An offensive possession, generally one consisting of several plays and/ or first downs, often leading to a scoring opportunity.
Drive
A charity event such as a fundraiser, bake sale, or toy drive.
A whist drive
A beetle drive
Drive
(retail) A campaign aimed at selling more of a certain product, e.g. by offering a discount.
Vaccination drive
Drive
(typography) An impression or matrix formed by a punch drift.
Drive
A collection of objects that are driven; a mass of logs to be floated down a river.
Drive
(transitive) To provide an impetus for motion or other physical change, to move an object by means of the provision of force thereto.
You drive nails into wood with a hammer.
Drive
(transitive) To provide an impetus for a non-physical change, especially a change in one's state of mind.
My husband's constant harping about the condition of the house threatens to drive me to distraction.
Drive
To displace either physically or non-physically, through the application of force.
Drive
To cause intrinsic motivation through the application or demonstration of force: to impel or urge onward thusly, to compel to move on, to coerce, intimidate or threaten.
Drive
(transitive) (especially of animals) To impel or urge onward by force; to push forward; to compel to move on.
To drive twenty thousand head of cattle from Texas to the Kansas railheads; to drive sheep out of a field
Drive
To direct a vehicle powered by a horse, ox or similar animal.
Drive
(transitive) To cause animals to flee out of.
Drive
(transitive) To move (something) by hitting it with great force.
You drive nails into wood with a hammer.
Drive
(transitive) To cause (a mechanism) to operate.
The pistons drive the crankshaft.
Drive
To operate (a wheeled motorized vehicle).
Drive a car
This SUV drives like a car.
Drive
To operate (an aircraft).
Drive a 737
Drive
(transitive) To motivate; to provide an incentive for.
What drives a person to run a marathon?
Drive
(transitive) To compel (to do something).
Their debts finally drove them to sell the business.
Drive
(transitive) To cause to become.
This constant complaining is going to drive me to insanity.
You are driving me crazy!
Drive
To hit the ball with a drive.
Drive
(intransitive) To travel by operating a wheeled motorized vehicle.
I drive to work every day.
Drive
(transitive) To convey (a person, etc.) in a wheeled motorized vehicle.
My cousin drove me to the airport.
Drive
(intransitive) To move forcefully.
Drive
(intransitive) To be moved or propelled forcefully (especially of a ship).
Drive
(transitive) To urge, press, or bring to a point or state.
Drive
(transitive) To carry or to keep in motion; to conduct; to prosecute.
Drive
(transitive) To clear, by forcing away what is contained.
Drive
(mining) To dig horizontally; to cut a horizontal gallery or tunnel.
Drive
(American football) To put together a drive (n.): to string together offensive plays and advance the ball down the field.
Drive
(obsolete) To distrain for rent.
Drive
(transitive) To separate the lighter (feathers or down) from the heavier, by exposing them to a current of air.
Drive
To impel or urge onward by force in a direction away from one, or along before one; to push forward; to compel to move on; to communicate motion to; as, to drive cattle; to drive a nail; smoke drives persons from a room.
A storm came on and drove them into Pylos.
Shield pressed on shield, and man drove man along.
Go drive the deer and drag the finny prey.
Drive
To urge on and direct the motions of, as the beasts which draw a vehicle, or the vehicle borne by them; hence, also, to take in a carriage; to convey in a vehicle drawn by beasts; as, to drive a pair of horses or a stage; to drive a person to his own door.
How . . . proud he was to drive such a brother!
Drive
To urge, impel, or hurry forward; to force; to constrain; to urge, press, or bring to a point or state; as, to drive a person by necessity, by persuasion, by force of circumstances, by argument, and the like.
He, driven to dismount, threatened, if I did not do the like, to do as much for my horse as fortune had done for his.
Drive
To carry or; to keep in motion; to conduct; to prosecute.
The trade of life can not be driven without partners.
Drive
To clear, by forcing away what is contained.
To drive the country, force the swains away.
Drive
To dig Horizontally; to cut a horizontal gallery or tunnel.
Drive
To pass away; - said of time.
Drive
Specif., in various games, as tennis, baseball, etc., to propel (the ball) swiftly by a direct stroke or forcible throw.
Drive
To operate (a vehicle) while it is on motion, by manipulating the controls, such as the steering, propulsion, and braking mechanisms.
Drive
To rush and press with violence; to move furiously.
Fierce Boreas drove against his flying sails.
Under cover of the night and a driving tempest.
Time driveth onward fast,And in a little while our lips are dumb.
Drive
To be forced along; to be impelled; to be moved by any physical force or agent; to be driven.
The hull drives on, though mast and sail be torn.
The chaise drives to Mr. Draper's chambers.
Drive
To go by carriage; to pass in a carriage; to proceed by directing or urging on a vehicle or the animals that draw it; as, the coachman drove to my door.
Drive
To press forward; to aim, or tend, to a point; to make an effort; to strive; - usually with at.
Let them therefore declare what carnal or secular interest he drove at.
Drive
To distrain for rent.
Drive
To make a drive, or stroke from the tee.
Drive
To go from one place to another in a vehicle, serving as the operator of the vehicle; to drive{9} a vehicle from one location to another.
Drive
In various games, as tennis, cricket, etc., the act of player who drives the ball; the stroke or blow; the flight of the ball, etc., so driven.
Drive
A stroke from the tee, generally a full shot made with a driver; also, the distance covered by such a stroke.
Drive
The act of driving; a trip or an excursion in a carriage, as for exercise or pleasure; - distinguished from a ride taken on horseback.
Drive
A place suitable or agreeable for driving; a road prepared for driving.
Drive
Violent or rapid motion; a rushing onward or away; esp., a forced or hurried dispatch of business.
The Murdstonian drive in business.
Drive
In type founding and forging, an impression or matrix, formed by a punch drift.
Drive
A collection of objects that are driven; a mass of logs to be floated down a river.
Drive
A private road; a driveway.
Drive
A strong psychological motivation to perform some activity.
Drive
A device for reading or writing data from or to a data storage medium, as a disk drive, a tape drive, a CD drive, etc.
Drive
An organized effort by a group to accomplish a goal within a limited period of time; as, a fund-raising drive.
Drive
The period during which one team sustains movement of the ball toward the opponent's goal without losing possession of the ball; as, a long drive downfield.
Drive
An act of driving a vehicle, especially an automobile; the journey undertaken by driving an automobile; as, to go for a drive in the country.
Drive
The mechanism which causes the moving parts of a machine to move; as, a belt drive.
Drive
The way in which the propulsive force of a vehicle is transmitted to the road; as, a car with four-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, etc.
Drive
Driven.
Drive
The act of applying force to propel something;
After reaching the desired velocity the drive is cut off
Drive
A mechanism by which force or power is transmitted in a machine;
A variable speed drive permitted operation through a range of speeds
Drive
A series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end;
He supported populist campaigns
They worked in the cause of world peace
The team was ready for a drive toward the pennant
The movement to end slavery
Contributed to the war effort
Drive
A road leading up to a private house;
They parked in the driveway
Drive
The trait of being highly motivated;
His drive and energy exhausted his co-workers
Drive
Hitting a golf ball off of a tee with a driver;
He sliced his drive out of bounds
Drive
The act of driving a herd of animals overland
Drive
A journey in a vehicle driven by someone else;
He took the family for a drive in his new car
Drive
A physiological state corresponding to a strong need or desire
Drive
(computer science) a device that writes data onto or reads data from a storage medium
Drive
A wide scenic road planted with trees;
The riverside drive offers many exciting scenic views
Drive
(sports) a hard straight return (as in tennis or squash)
Drive
Operate or control a vehicle;
Drive a car or bus
Can you drive this four-wheel truck?
Drive
Travel or be transported in a vehicle;
We drove to the university every morning
They motored to London for the theater
Drive
Cause someone or something to move by driving;
She drove me to school every day
We drove the car to the garage
Drive
Force into or from an action or state, either physically or metaphorically;
She rammed her mind into focus
He drives me mad
Drive
To compel or force or urge relentlessly or exert coercive pressure on, or motivate strongly;
She is driven by her passion
Drive
Cause to move back by force or influence;
Repel the enemy
Push back the urge to smoke
Beat back the invaders
Drive
Compel somebody to do something, often against his own will or judgment;
She finally drove him to change jobs
Drive
Push, propel, or press with force;
Drive a nail into the wall
Drive
Cause to move rapidly by striking or throwing with force;
Drive the ball far out into the field
Drive
Strive and make an effort to reach a goal;
She tugged for years to make a decent living
We have to push a little to make the deadline!
She is driving away at her doctoral thesis
Drive
Move into a desired direction of discourse;
What are you driving at?
Drive
Have certain properties when driven;
This car rides smoothly
My new truck drives well
Drive
Work as a driver;
He drives a bread truck
She drives for the taxi company in Newark
Drive
Move by being propelled by a force;
The car drove around the corner
Drive
Urge forward;
Drive the cows into the barn
Drive
Proceed along in a vehicle;
We drive the turnpike to work
Drive
Strike with a driver, as in teeing off;
Drive a golfball
Drive
Hit very hard and straight with the bat swinging more or less vertically;
Drive a ball
Drive
Excavate horizontally;
Drive a tunnel
Drive
Cause to function by supplying the force or power for or by controlling;
The amplifier drives the tube
Steam drives the engines
This device drives the disks for the computer
Drive
Hunting: search for game;
Drive the forest
Drive
Hunting: chase from cover into more open ground;
Drive the game
Common Curiosities
Can drive exist without specific goals?
Yes, drive can be a general, enduring force that pushes an individual to excel, even without specific goals, focusing more on personal standards and ongoing improvement.
What is the main difference between ambition and drive?
Ambition refers to the desire for specific achievements or recognition, while drive is the intrinsic motivation that pushes someone towards ongoing goals.
Can too much ambition or drive be harmful?
Excessive ambition can sometimes lead to unethical behavior if an individual prioritizes their ambitions over moral or social guidelines. Similarly, too much drive can lead to burnout, stress, and neglect of health or social relationships if not managed properly.
How do ambition and drive affect career success?
Both are important; ambition can set the direction for career goals, while drive is necessary to achieve and sustain progress towards these goals.
How do cultural differences impact the perception of ambition and drive?
Cultural values and norms can greatly influence how ambition and drive are perceived. In some cultures, ambition is highly valued as a sign of future success and leadership, while in others it might be viewed with suspicion or as overly aggressive. Drive is often universally respected, though its expression might vary across different cultural contexts.
Is drive always a positive trait?
Generally, drive is viewed positively as it denotes determination and persistence, but excessive drive can sometimes lead to burnout or neglect of personal relationships.
Are ambition and drive linked to happiness?
The relationship between ambition, drive, and happiness can be complex. Ambition can lead to happiness when goals are achieved, but it can also lead to dissatisfaction if goals are unrealistic or not achieved. Drive can contribute to a sense of purpose and fulfillment, which are important for overall happiness.
How can someone balance ambition and drive to achieve a healthy lifestyle?
Balancing ambition and drive involves setting realistic goals, recognizing personal limits, and ensuring that there's time for relaxation and personal relationships. It’s important to align these traits with one’s values and overall life goals to avoid the potential negative effects of overexertion.
Can a person have ambition without drive?
Yes, a person can desire success or recognition (ambition) without having the continuous internal motivation (drive) to pursue these goals actively.
What roles do ambition and drive play in personal relationships?
In personal relationships, ambition can sometimes lead to conflict if it prioritizes personal success over relationship goals. Drive, when focused on relationship or family objectives, can strengthen bonds as it shows commitment and resilience in working towards shared goals.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
