opportunistic
Americanadjective
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adhering to a policy of opportunism; practicing opportunism.
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Pathology.
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(of a microorganism) causing disease only under certain conditions, as when a person's immune system is impaired.
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(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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adjective
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of or characterized by opportunism
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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
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of opportunistic
First recorded in 1890–95; opportunist + -ic
Explanation
To be opportunistic is to quickly take advantage of a situation, usually in a way that's just plain wrong. You know how an opportunity is a chance to do something? When you're opportunistic, you take advantage of that chance, usually immediately. Most of the time, this word is not neutral: people described as opportunistic are also considered unethical, like a business taking advantage of employees or customers in an opportunistic way. If someone dropped their wallet and someone else found it and kept it, that would be opportunistic. Being opportunistic is shady and self-serving.
Vocabulary lists containing opportunistic
This Week In Culture: March 29–April 4, 2020
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“Mandatory Vaccination is Not the Answer to Measles” by Bob Sears
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This Week In Culture: October 19–25, 2019
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The carrier repeated its accusation that Castlelake's offer was "highly opportunistic", arguing that its share price had been "temporarily depressed" partly due to the impact of Iran war on the travel sector.
From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026
The company previously called the timing of Castlelake’s approach opportunistic given that its share price was temporarily depressed due to the situation in the Middle East.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026
EasyJet has rejected a takeover offer worth £4.74bn from US investment firm Castlelake, describing the bid approach as "highly opportunistic".
From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026
However long this cycle lasts for Micron, management is being opportunistic and using the cash flow to clean up the company’s balance sheet.
From Barron's • May 29, 2026
I feigned shock, but truthfully, since I’m so sick and opportunistic, I was happy to hear it.
From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
