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

But the costs of setting up at SDCC have been going up rapidly due to inflation and opportunism on the part of local businesses. — Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Whether viewed as principled adaptation or political opportunism, Graham repeatedly aligned himself toward the direction South Carolina, Southern and Republican politics were moving. — Christopher A. Cooper, The Conversation, 14 July 2026

Simmons, meanwhile, will receive his opportunities over the coming weeks — his legs and opportunism surely give him an excellent chance to take his first-ever Grand Tour stage win this July. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 7 July 2026

But Republican rival Steve Hilton slammed the group for political opportunism. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 20 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

opportune + -ism, after Italian opportunismo and French opportunisme

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for opportunism

• activism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism
• calvinism

Kids 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