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
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What gets to Cannon in the end—what breaks her open—is the combination of physical exhaustion, Trish’s opportunism, and a co-worker’s bad faith.
—
E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
Rescheduling marijuana would bring negligible changes in criminal justice reform, and critics accuse the president of political opportunism.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for opportunism
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E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
Rescheduling marijuana would bring negligible changes in criminal justice reform, and critics accuse the president of political opportunism.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for opportunism
Cite this Entry
“Opportunism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opportunism. Accessed 24 Dec. 2025.
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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
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