underambitious
Lacking lofty goals
Underambitious describes someone or something lacking sufficient ambition—content with less than what circumstances might allow.
An underambitious goal sets the bar too low.
An underambitious person doesn't push themselves: Critics called the proposal underambitious given the scale of the crisis.
The word implies a missed opportunity to aim higher.
Lacking enthusiasm or determination
- unmotivatedLacking incentive or drive
- apatheticWithout feeling or concern
- indifferentLacking interest or concern
- lethargicLacking energy or alertness
disinterested · nonchalant · idle · inert · sluggish · stagnant · listless · languid
Lacking courage or confidence
- hesitantSlow to act
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
- meekHumbly unassertive
- unassertiveNot forceful or bold
risk-averse · cautious · insecure · diffident · reserved · reticent · unconfident · shrinking
Having enough, wanting nothing
- settledNo longer in question
- comfortablePhysically at ease
- contentWhat something contains
- easygoingRelaxed in temperament
undemanding · modest · unassuming · simple · unpretentious · low-key · accepting · unconcerned
Lacking brilliance or vitality
- unremarkableNot worthy of comment
- mundaneCommonplace, lacking excitement
- averageArithmetic mean or ordinary
- mediocreOf only moderate quality
unexceptional · subpar · ordinary · commonplace · undistinguished · forgettable · second-rate · unimpressive
lackadaisical
Lacking enthusiasm or determination
- unmotivatedLacking incentive or drive
- apatheticWithout feeling or concern
- indifferentLacking interest or concern
lethargic · disinterested · nonchalant · idle · inert · sluggish · stagnant · listless · languid · unconcerned
timid
Lacking courage or confidence
unassertive · risk-averse · cautious · insecure · diffident · reserved · reticent · unconfident · shrinking · overcautious
satisfied
Having enough, wanting nothing
- settledNo longer in question
- comfortablePhysically at ease
- contentWhat something contains
easygoing · undemanding · modest · unassuming · simple · unpretentious · low-key · accepting · unconcerned · untroubled
lackluster
Lacking brilliance or vitality
- unremarkableNot worthy of comment
- mundaneCommonplace, lacking excitement
- averageArithmetic mean or ordinary
mediocre · unexceptional · subpar · ordinary · commonplace · undistinguished · forgettable · second-rate · unimpressive · middling
underambitiousoverambitious
Excessively driven toward goals
ambitious · hyperambitious · driven · power-hungry · go-getting
underambitiousoverreaching
Exceeding proper limits
grandiose · overextending · biting off more than one can chew · audacious · bold
ambition, ambitious, ambitions, unambitious, ambitiously, ambitiousness, overambitious, nonambitious