opportunist

[ op-er-too-nist, -tyoo- ]

/ ˌɒp ərˈtu nɪst, -ˈtyu- /

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noun

a person who practices opportunism, or the policy of adapting actions, decisions, etc., to effectiveness regardless of the sacrifice of ethical principles: He is an extreme opportunist and always thinks the ends justify the means.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of opportunist

First recorded in 1865–70; opportun(ism) + -ist

Words nearby opportunist

oppo, opponency, opponent, opportune, opportunism, opportunist, opportunistic, opportunistic infection, opportunity, opportunity cost, opportunity shop

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use opportunist in a sentence

During the three-week trial, Maxwell’s attorneys painted the four accusers as money-hungry opportunists, saying they changed their Epstein abuse stories to include Maxwell only when there was a chance to cash in.
At closing arguments, Ghislaine Maxwell portrayed as both abuser and wrongly targeted victim|Shayna Jacobs|December 20, 2021|Washington Post
Political opportunists will use this case for race-baiting and fear-mongering to advance their own political agendas.
The Kyle Rittenhouse Verdict Makes Us All Less Safe|Barbara McQuade|November 19, 2021|Time
I mean, some are opportunists and some of them are really creating the problem wholesale.
How Can We Break Our Addiction to Contempt? (Ep. 478)|Stephen J. Dubner|October 14, 2021|Freakonomics
They’re opportunists who claim to have found straightforward solutions to incredibly complicated problems and then sell those solutions to vulnerable people.
Don’t Buy What Wellness Influencers Are Selling|abarronian|July 8, 2021|Outside Online

For those who are simply opportunists or who actually believe the unfounded conspiracy theories, it’s a no-brainer.
Elevating doubt is the point|Philip Bump|May 27, 2021|Washington Post
Kardashian, ever the opportunist, no doubt surveyed the gluteus landscape and wanted in on the cultural “conversation.”
Kim Kardashian Bares Her Shiny, Bounteous Butt, Breaks the Internet|Marlow Stern|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So is Sam Lutfi a legitimate manager or just a nasty opportunist?
Sam Lutfi Is Young Hollywood’s Most Infamous Svengali|Amy Zimmerman|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ever the shape-shifter and opportunist, he ended his career as a high official in the very empire he had once helped defeat.
‘300’ Is a Misleading, Muscle-Bound Travesty of Ancient History|James Romm|March 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Because, above all things he is the consummate ambitious opportunist.
Ted Cruz Runs Against His Own Government Shutdown|Joe McLean|January 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hamad is the consummate survivor-opportunist, having built an empire out of blowing sand and natural gas, Allah and ambition.
Qatar’s Succession Drama|Christopher Dickey|June 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It has often and in many cases occurred to me to wonder at the mistakes men make;Was Aristaenus a traitor or a wise Opportunist?
The Histories of Polybius, Vol. II (of 2)|Polybius
Montezuma was therefore an opportunist, like Cortes, but there was a vast difference between them.
South American Fights and Fighters|Cyrus Townsend Brady
Although this presupposes a continuous struggle, it is not a revolutionary but an "opportunist" struggle.
A History of Trade Unionism in the United States|Selig Perlman
He was a master of statecraft and an opportunist in politics.
The History of the Confederate War, Its Causes and Its Conduct, Volume I (of 2)|George Cary Eggleston
The King was the opportunist, Olof the idealist, and Gert the "impossibilist."
Plays--First Series|August Strindberg

British Dictionary definitions for opportunist

opportunist

/ (ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪst) /

noun

a person who adapts his actions, responses, etc, to take advantage of opportunities, circumstances, etc

adjective

taking advantage of opportunities and circumstances in this way

Derived forms of opportunist

opportunism, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

opportunist

Origin of opportunist

Words nearby opportunist

Words related to opportunist

How to use opportunist in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for opportunist

Derived forms of opportunist