opportunism
noun
op·por·tun·ism
ˌä-pər-ˈtü-ˌni-zəm 
-ˈtyü-
: the art, policy, or practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances often with little regard for principles or consequences
Examples of opportunism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The best of them was the opportunism of Germany and Jamal Musiala.
—
Phil Hay, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
These were acts of opportunism by a cold-eyed pragmatist.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
The years of Thatcherism both exposed class divisions and inflamed them; money, and the scramble for it, also created a new kind of equality, the equality of opportunism.
—Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
That blandness has gone hand in hand with a shifty political opportunism, marked by half-hearted representational milestones—Ariel is Black!
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opportunism
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Phil Hay, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
These were acts of opportunism by a cold-eyed pragmatist.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
The years of Thatcherism both exposed class divisions and inflamed them; money, and the scramble for it, also created a new kind of equality, the equality of opportunism.
—Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
That blandness has gone hand in hand with a shifty political opportunism, marked by half-hearted representational milestones—Ariel is Black!
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opportunism
Cite this Entry
“Opportunism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opportunism. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
opportunism
noun
op·por·tun·ism
ˌäp-ər-ˈt(y)ü-ˌniz-əm
: the practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances regardless of what one should do or what might happen
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