opportunist

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

noun

1. 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.

opportunist

/ ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪst /

noun

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

adjective

1. taking advantage of opportunities and circumstances in this way

Other Word Forms

• opportunism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of opportunist¹

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

Example Sentences

They are opportunists; they saw that nobody was catering to the conservative demographic, so they learned the shibboleths and signs to signal “Hey, I’m one of you!”

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In a 2005 speech, he called the Democrats who accused the administration of manipulating intelligence to justify the war “opportunists” who peddled “cynical and pernicious falsehoods” to gain political advantage.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

An old political poison is growing on the new right, led by podcasters and internet opportunists who are preoccupied with the Jews.

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Families "can easily be cheated by opportunists", she said.

Read more on Barron's

As Curry puts it, leaders at white-shoe law firms, elite universities and major foundations have repeatedly surrendered without a shot, revealing themselves as “traitors, cowards, rank opportunists or simply inept.”

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• carpetbagger