depreciative. Characterized by self-interested compliance or conforming to prevailing circumstances.

Time-serving, ‘trimming’.

(a) that (consistently) has good weather; (b) chiefly U.S. dependable only in favourable circumstances; = fair-weather, adj. 3.

Of a person: tending to affirm or deny indifferently or according to expediency; hesitating, vacillating, undecided. Now rare.

Dependable only when conditions or circumstances are favourable; unreliable in times of difficulty.

Following a neutral or middle course between opposed principles or parties, esp. when this is done to stand in favour with both.

Of a friend, ally, etc.: dependable or loyal only when conditions or circumstances are favourable, or when it is easy or convenient to be so. Also…