opportunism
noun
op·por·tun·ism
ˌä-pər-ˈtü-ˌni-zəm 
-ˈtyü-
: the art, policy, or practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances often with little regard for principles or consequences
Examples of opportunism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump’s wisdom comes from intuition and opportunism.
—
Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2024
While these endeavors are noble, some worry that the line between activism and opportunism is getting increasingly thinner.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 17 Sep. 2024
If opportunism is motivating Putin in Ukraine—if the gambit is the product of his imperial avarice to gain Russian control of the country whenever the possibility presented itself—then his decidedly nonopportunistic approach to Ukraine from 2014 to 2021 needs to be explained.
—Peter Schroeder, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2024
For those who haven’t recognized the callous opportunism inherent to Donald Trump and his cronies, perhaps The Penguin’s putrid embodiment of those traits will nudge them closer to seeing one hideous monster in the other.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for opportunism 
Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2024
While these endeavors are noble, some worry that the line between activism and opportunism is getting increasingly thinner.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 17 Sep. 2024
If opportunism is motivating Putin in Ukraine—if the gambit is the product of his imperial avarice to gain Russian control of the country whenever the possibility presented itself—then his decidedly nonopportunistic approach to Ukraine from 2014 to 2021 needs to be explained.
—Peter Schroeder, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2024
For those who haven’t recognized the callous opportunism inherent to Donald Trump and his cronies, perhaps The Penguin’s putrid embodiment of those traits will nudge them closer to seeing one hideous monster in the other.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for opportunism
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'opportunism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near opportunism
Cite this Entry
“Opportunism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opportunism. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
opportunism
noun
op·por·tun·ism
ˌäp-ər-ˈt(y)ü-ˌniz-əm
: the practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances regardless of what one should do or what might happen
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share