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fire in the belly

NOUN
aspiration
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aim ambition desire dream eagerness endeavor inclination longing objective passion wish yearning
STRONG
ambitiousness craving direction hankering object pursuit push urge vocation work
WEAK
right stuff
Antonyms
STRONGEST
apathy dislike hate hatred indifference laziness
STRONG
entertainment fun pastime
NOUN
longing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ambition aspiration craving hankering hunger pining thirst wish yearning
STRONG
coveting hungering itch urge yen
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dislike hate hatred indifference satisfaction

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Jacobs: Do they have fire in the belly?

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

After planning to quit post-Tokyo, three-time gold medallist Whitlock found the fire in the belly still burned.

From BBC • Jul. 24, 2024

“I’m heartbroken but woke up with a renewed fire in the belly that we can’t let this stop us,” Mr. Sandoval said.

From New York Times • Feb. 23, 2023

Anyone looking to connect with the fire in the belly of their girlhood, or anyone simply drawn to books about people and their passions, will find something to love about “Horse Girls.”

From Washington Post • Aug. 3, 2021

One saw similar flashes of the classic fire in the belly kind of journalism during the agitation against Meta Strips metal recycling plant four years ago.

From Behind the News: Voices from Goa's Press by Various

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