opportunism

noun

op·​por·​tun·​ism ˌä-pər-ˈtü-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce opportunism (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But this moment of opportunism was more reflective of Messi’s innate ability to read the game quicker than those around him, rather than a sign of technical prowess. Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 20 June 2025 This opportunism comes at great cost - to the recipients of the aid, to America’s interests, and to the quality of the discourse. Michael Hudson, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025 In my view, these rules strike a reasonable balance between giving firms discretion to tell their story and giving investors information to detect managerial opportunism. Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025 Of course, given the ubiquity of such ambitious politicians of all flavors, everywhere, all the time, the charge of cynical opportunism has fairly short legs. Dain Fitzgerald, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for opportunism

Word History

Etymology

opportune + -ism, after Italian opportunismo and French opportunisme

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of opportunism was in 1870

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Opportunism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opportunism. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

opportunism

noun
op·​por·​tun·​ism ˌäp-ər-ˈt(y)ü-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce opportunism (audio)
: the practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances regardless of what one should do or what might happen

More from Merriam-Webster on opportunism

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