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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Such actions cast a shocking light on a bureaucracy corrupted by power, arrogance and petty opportunism. 
Ted Gup, CNN, 29 Aug. 2022 But many seemed to act out of opportunism and greed, splurging on a yacht, a mansion, a $38,000 Rolex, or a $57,000 Pokemon trading card. BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2022 Whether it’s principle or opportunism, Calvert’s change of heart seems a necessary shift in a race that has grown far more competitive as a result of the redrawing of California’s congressional boundaries. Laura Blasey, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2022 That spirit has pervaded the hyperbole and opportunism of much of the media coverage. The Editors, National Review, 20 June 2022 Playing the lead role, Novak personifies onscreen some of the smugness and opportunism often found when the media turns its attention to rural America. John Defore, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 June 2022 But Schubert knows her promise to be independent of partisan politics could strike some as opportunism, given her family’s deep Republican roots. Hannah Wileystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2022 The reasons for all of this are a bit nebulous with lots of talk about demand unexpectedly outpacing supply, but there’s likely a healthy dose of opportunism here as well. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 19 June 2022 At worst, these proposals are nothing more than cynical commercial opportunism on the part of software vendors. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 31 May 2022 See More
Ted Gup, CNN, 29 Aug. 2022 But many seemed to act out of opportunism and greed, splurging on a yacht, a mansion, a $38,000 Rolex, or a $57,000 Pokemon trading card. BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2022 Whether it’s principle or opportunism, Calvert’s change of heart seems a necessary shift in a race that has grown far more competitive as a result of the redrawing of California’s congressional boundaries. Laura Blasey, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2022 That spirit has pervaded the hyperbole and opportunism of much of the media coverage. The Editors, National Review, 20 June 2022 Playing the lead role, Novak personifies onscreen some of the smugness and opportunism often found when the media turns its attention to rural America. John Defore, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 June 2022 But Schubert knows her promise to be independent of partisan politics could strike some as opportunism, given her family’s deep Republican roots. Hannah Wileystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2022 The reasons for all of this are a bit nebulous with lots of talk about demand unexpectedly outpacing supply, but there’s likely a healthy dose of opportunism here as well. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 19 June 2022 At worst, these proposals are nothing more than cynical commercial opportunism on the part of software vendors. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 31 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
opportune + -ism, after Italian opportunismo and French opportunisme
First Known Use
1870, in the meaning defined above
opportunism
noun
as in aggression
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- aggression
- competitiveness
- pretentiousness
- pushiness
- assertiveness
- daring
- motivation
- diligence
- spirit
- determination
- eagerness
- industry
- greed
- overambitiousness
- initiative
- killer instinct
- avarice
- enterprise
- ambition
- ambitiousness
- hustle
- energy
- aspiration
- push
- avidity
- ardor
- keenness
- go
- drive
- hunger
- go-getting
- passion
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indifference
- apathy
- unconcern
- inertia
- laziness
- indolence
- lethargy
- idleness
- halfheartedness
- shiftlessness
- sloth