opportunist
noun
op·por·tun·ist ˌä-pər-ˈtü-nist 
-ˈtyü-
: one that is opportunistic or that practices opportunism
a slick, shady, amoral opportunist who has only one desire: to get through life without a day of labor
Allan Ulrich
Allan UlrichMost burglars are opportunists.
opportunist adjective
Synonyms
- acrobat
- chameleon
- chancer [British]
- temporizer
- timeserver
- trimmer
- weathercock
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a political opportunist who changed his health-care plan to win the election ever the opportunist, she immediately set about becoming the incoming administrator's new best friend
Recent Examples on the Web She’s seen as an agitator, an anti-Europe opportunist who could make matters even worse in the rocky relationship between Britain and the 27-nation bloc. Emily Rauhala, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2022 In addition to being an angry outsider, Becky is a crafty opportunist. San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2022 Trump is an opportunist who got out in front of the parade. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 25 June 2022 With its mild flavor, a single nubbin of tteok is an equal opportunist flavor sponge. Bon Appétit, 24 May 2022 Holiday, ever the opportunist, had little trouble swooping in for the game-clinching steal. Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 12 May 2022 Of course, that approach earned Sharpton plenty of detractors — almost all of whom are white — who have chided him as racial opportunist. Jake Coyle, USA TODAY, 19 June 2022 Of course, that approach earned Sharpton plenty of detractors — almost all of whom are white — who have chided him as racial opportunist. Jake Coyle, ajc, 19 June 2022 Alternatively, Michael Rhodes, a lawyer for the Kardashians, painted Blac Chyna as an opportunist who wanted to be a part of the famous family. Carrie Wittmer, Glamour, 20 Apr. 2022 See More
Emily Rauhala, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2022 In addition to being an angry outsider, Becky is a crafty opportunist. San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2022 Trump is an opportunist who got out in front of the parade. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 25 June 2022 With its mild flavor, a single nubbin of tteok is an equal opportunist flavor sponge. Bon Appétit, 24 May 2022 Holiday, ever the opportunist, had little trouble swooping in for the game-clinching steal. Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 12 May 2022 Of course, that approach earned Sharpton plenty of detractors — almost all of whom are white — who have chided him as racial opportunist. Jake Coyle, USA TODAY, 19 June 2022 Of course, that approach earned Sharpton plenty of detractors — almost all of whom are white — who have chided him as racial opportunist. Jake Coyle, ajc, 19 June 2022 Alternatively, Michael Rhodes, a lawyer for the Kardashians, painted Blac Chyna as an opportunist who wanted to be a part of the famous family. Carrie Wittmer, Glamour, 20 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
opportun(ism) + -ist entry 1, probably after French opportuniste
First Known Use
1873, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
opportunist
noun
op·por·tun·ist ˌäp-ər-ˈt(y)ü-nəst
: an opportunistic microorganism
opportunists
noun
1
as in chameleons
a person who dexterously and expediently changes or adopts opinions ever the opportunist, she immediately set about becoming the incoming administrator's new best friend Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- chameleons
- egoists
- egotists
- schemers
- chancers
- timeservers
- weathercocks
- connivers
- self-seekers
- acrobats
- machinators
- plotters
- trimmers
- temporizers
2
as in chancers
one who does things only for his own benefit and with little regard for right and wrong an opportunist who makes friends and then drops them as soon as they aren't useful anymore Synonyms & Similar Words
- chancers
- self-seekers
- bottom-feeders
- schemers
- sharks
- egoists
- egotists
- connivers
- machinators
- temporizers
- egocentrics
- leeches
- plotters
- hangers-on
- barracudas
- barracuda
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- altruists