opportunism

noun

op·​por·​tun·​ism ˌä-pər-ˈtü-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce opportunism (audio)
-ˈtyü-
Synonyms of opportunismnext
: 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 just enough opportunism in the offensive zone, defensive tenacity in their own zone and some very good goaltending by Jeremy Swayman (29 saves) led them to a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils at the Garden. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 7 Dec. 2025 Instead, events appear to lie in political opportunism in the wake of an election marred by flaws and allegations of illegitimacy. John Joseph Chin, The Conversation, 1 Dec. 2025 Whether the likes of Steve Bannon, Michael Anton, Stephen Miller, and Tucker Carlson are driven by conviction, opportunism, personal grievance, or some combination of these motives is never easy to say. George Packer, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2025 Bell pushed back against accusations of political opportunism, arguing that the Oversight Committee’s work is centered on justice for victims. Toby Meyjes, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 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 18 Dec. 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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