opportunistic

[ op-er-too-nis-tik, -tyoo- ]

/ ˌɒp ər tuˈnɪs tɪk, -tyu- /

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See synonyms for opportunistic on Thesaurus.com

adjective

adhering to a policy of opportunism; practicing opportunism.

Pathology.

(of a microorganism) causing disease only under certain conditions, as when a person's immune system is impaired.
(of a disease or infection) caused by such an organism: Pneumocystis pneumonia is an opportunistic disease that often strikes victims of AIDS.

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Origin of opportunistic

First recorded in 1890–95; opportunist + -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM opportunistic

op·por·tun·is·ti·cal·ly, adverbun·op·por·tun·is·tic, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH opportunistic

opportune, opportunistic

Words nearby opportunistic

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

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

How to use opportunistic in a sentence

It was an inauspicious start, and after an opportunistic campaign by Republicans to get him onto ballots, West ended up as an option for voters in 12 states.
The Trailer: What we learned from the 2020 election, now that it's officially over|David Weigel|December 17, 2020|Washington Post
This opportunistic capability, when communications are less predictable, is what’s being tested in Lapland.
To Boldly Go Where No Internet Protocol Has Gone Before|Susan D'Agostino|October 21, 2020|Quanta Magazine
They have a well-rounded and opportunistic style of play that has kept them dangerous throughout the playoffs.
Which Bill O’Brien Was Worse, The Coach Or The GM?|Sarah Shachat|October 6, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
You know it’s very opportunistic how I’m saying it, but all these brands saw the same thing and came to the same conclusion.
A Q&A with the provocative mind behind watchmaker H. Moser|Daniel Bentley|September 21, 2020|Fortune

The choice is between an opportunistic incumbent and a tin-eared challenger.
As Minneapolis Burns, Trump’s Presidency Is Sinking Deeper Into Crisis. And Yet, He May Still Be Re-Elected|LGBTQ-Editor|June 2, 2020|No Straight News
In Colombia, it was perceived more like a coincidence or perhaps even an opportunistic play by the FARC.
Venezuela Says Goodbye to Its Lil Friend, While the Rest of the Continent Cheers|Catalina Lobo-Guererro|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Anyone with the intellect of a ping-pong ball should understand how opportunistic that whistleblowing looks.
An Ivy League Frat Boy’s Shallow Repentance|Stefan Beck|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Opportunistic, self-centered—no one could actually write a worse TV mom.
TV’s Best and Worst Moms: ‘Veep,’ ‘Game of Thrones,’ and More|The Daily Beast Video|May 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These Westerners bring (relative) wads of cash and influence, and are gladly met by opportunistic African leaders.
Why Africa’s Turning Anti-Gay|Jay Michaelson|March 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Republican complaints of two months ago were purely opportunistic.
They Just Don't Care if Healthcare.Gov Works or Not|Jamelle Bouie|December 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The movement was essentially opportunistic and displayed no particular class feeling and no revolutionary tendencies.
A History of Trade Unionism in the United States|Selig Perlman
The times were ripe for the opportunistic unionism of Gompers and the trade unionists.
A History of Trade Unionism in the United States|Selig Perlman
The opportunistic method is strong just where the systematic is weak.
The Psychology of Arithmetic|Edward L. Thorndike
In spite of the high regard in which he was held, this opportunistic proposal found little favor.
An American Religious Movement|Winfred Ernest Douglas
The "State Socialist" and Reform attitude towards political democracy is indeed essentially opportunistic.
Socialism As It Is|William English Walling

British Dictionary definitions for opportunistic

opportunistic

/ (ˌɒpətjʊˈnɪstɪk) /

adjective

of or characterized by opportunism

med (of an infection) caused by any microorganism that is harmless to a healthy person but debilitates a person whose immune system has been weakened by disease or drug treatment

Derived forms of opportunistic

opportunistically, adverb

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

opportunistic

Origin of opportunistic

OTHER WORDS FROM opportunistic

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH opportunistic

Words nearby opportunistic

Words related to opportunistic

How to use opportunistic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for opportunistic

Derived forms of opportunistic