opportunist

American  

[op-er-too-nist, -tyoo-] / ˌɒp ərˈtu nɪst, -ˈtyu- /

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.

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opportunist British  

/ ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪst /

noun

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

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adjective

1. taking advantage of opportunities and circumstances in this way

Other Word Forms

• opportunism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of opportunist

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

Explanation

Opportunists are people who see a chance to gain some advantage from a situation, often at the expense of ethics or morals. An opportunist seizes every opportunity to improve things for himself. Say you won millions in the lottery. People would come out of the woodwork hoping to get their hands on some of it. These people act as if they are close friends. But they are not; they are opportunists. Famous opportunists include “carpetbaggers,” Northern opportunists who, after the American Civil War, poured into the South to turn Reconstruction into personal financial gains.

Example Sentences

Under cross-examination by OpenAI attorney Sarah Eddy, Brockman sought to reframe diary entries that Musk's lawyers had used the previous day to portray him as a calculating opportunist.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

He’s the Parliament speaker, former mayor, police chief and Revolutionary Guard commander, and consummate opportunist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

In “Werckmeister Harmonies,” another opportunist visits another desperate town, this time accompanying a traveling exhibit of a preserved whale.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

Dr Shakoor told officers there was a problem with the door's lock, which prompted the police to consider an opportunist burglar.

From BBC • May 21, 2025

He addressed him with the proper degree of ferocity, telling him that he was a scoundrelly opportunist, a sybaritic barbarian, a disgrace to his upbringing and his ancestors, “AND”—and he paused in weighty emphasis—“a very...bad...dog!”

From "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford

Related Words

• carpetbagger