opportunist

noun

op·​por·​tun·​ist ˌä-pər-ˈtü-nist How to pronounce opportunist (audio)
-ˈtyü-
: one that is opportunistic or that practices opportunism
a slick, shady, amoral opportunist who has only one desire: to get through life without a day of laborAllan Ulrich
Most burglars are opportunists.
opportunist adjective

Examples of opportunist in a Sentence

a political opportunist who changed his health-care plan to win the election ever the opportunist, she immediately set about becoming the incoming administrator's new best friend
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With dreams of finally striking it rich, the duo plunges headfirst into a cutthroat race against rival fortune-seekers, opportunists and underworld figures. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025 The measure shows how Florida’s flagship institution is formalizing political expectations for Ono, who conservative critics have renounced as a left-wing opportunist feigning opposition to DEI to appease the state’s Republican base. Garrett Shanley, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025 The almost inconceivable comedy that comes from Mickey 17’s ensemble which includes Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, and Toni Collette as morally questionable opportunists who seek out greed. Malik Peay, Essence, 7 Mar. 2025 He has been shown, as countless others have been, that to a political opportunist, no friend is indispensable and nothing is safe. The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for opportunist

Word History

Etymology

opportun(ism) + -ist entry 1, probably after French opportuniste

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of opportunist was in 1873

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Opportunist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opportunist. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

opportunist

noun
op·​por·​tun·​ist -ˈt(y)ü-nəst How to pronounce opportunist (audio)
: one that is opportunistic or that practices opportunism
opportunist adjective

Medical Definition

opportunist

noun
op·​por·​tun·​ist ˌäp-ər-ˈt(y)ü-nəst How to pronounce opportunist (audio)
: an opportunistic microorganism

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