opportunist

noun

op·​por·​tun·​ist ˌä-pər-ˈtü-nist 

-ˈtyü-

: one that is opportunistic or that practices opportunism

a slick, shady, amoral opportunist who has only one desire: to get through life without a day of labor

—Allan Ulrich

Most burglars are opportunists.

opportunist adjective

Synonyms

• chameleon

Examples of opportunist in a Sentence

a political opportunist who changed his health-care plan to win the election

ever the opportunist, she immediately set about becoming the incoming administrator's new best friend

Recent Examples on the Web

That liminal space is a perfect breeding ground for pitchmen and opportunists. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2025

The fear Lightfoot had of being perceived as an opportunist, especially by the families, was dispelled. —John U. Bacon, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025

An opportunist who grabbed a man’s gold chain and crucifix after he was run over by a Green Line train in 2023 will spend at least six months in jail. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025

Being an opportunist isn't so bad, after all. —Ankit Pathak, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

opportun(ism) + -ist entry 1, probably after French opportuniste

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for opportunist

• cartoonist
• soonest

Kids Definition

opportunist

noun

op·​por·​tun·​ist -ˈt(y)ü-nəst 

: one that is opportunistic or that practices opportunism

opportunist adjective

Medical Definition

opportunist

noun

op·​por·​tun·​ist ˌäp-ər-ˈt(y)ü-nəst 

: an opportunistic microorganism