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

By fostering self-reliance across sectors, an Abuse-of-Crisis Prevention Act can confront the root causes of both debt crises and hyper-regulation—protecting Americans from political opportunism both now and for generations to come. —Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

The stakes are too high for geopolitical opportunism, ideological gamesmanship or wacky Trumpian madness. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025

The best of them was the opportunism of Germany and Jamal Musiala. —Phil Hay, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025

That blandness has gone hand in hand with a shifty political opportunism, marked by half-hearted representational milestones—Ariel is Black! —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

opportune + -ism, after Italian opportunismo and French opportunisme

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for opportunism

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

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