opportunistic

adjective

op·por·tu·nis·tic ˌä-pər-tü-ˈni-stik

-tyü-

Synonyms of opportunistic next

: taking advantage of opportunities as they arise: such as

: exploiting opportunities with little regard to principle (see principle sense 1) or consequences

a politician considered opportunistic

an opportunistic investment

: feeding on whatever food is available

opportunistic feeders

opportunistic bears

: being or caused by a usually harmless microorganism that can become pathogenic when the host's resistance is impaired

opportunistic infections

opportunistic diseases

opportunistically

ˌä-pər-tü-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē

-tyü-

adverb

Examples of opportunistic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Mandiant's Hultquist argues that, more than any tactical effect, such as disabling the ability to defend against the missile strike or warn civilians, the blackout was more likely intended as another opportunistic psychological blow, intended to compound victims' feeling of chaos and helplessness. —

WIRED, 9 Nov. 2023 Many policymakers have drawn the conclusion that the best way to handle an opportunistic bully such as Putin is to show strength and resolve. —

Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2023 Carp are very adaptive and learn quickly in these environments to be opportunistic. —

Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 12 Oct. 2023 But through the opportunistic, corrupt Ernest, Scorsese explores the Milley fallacy rather than true rage. —

Armond White, National Review, 20 Oct. 2023 The Hamas attack was, above all, an opportunistic one, experts said, a response to Israeli and Palestinian political dysfunction. —

Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 16 Oct. 2023 The attacks in Israel quickly provided fodder for more of this opportunistic grandstanding. —

Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2023 The Kings were scoreless on five power plays covering a full 10 minutes and weren’t getting enough shots through, prime causes of their 5-2 loss to the energetic, opportunistic, shot-blocking Colorado Avalanche. —

Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023 Today, however, their growing closeness, as well as the danger of opportunistic aggression by one in a war between the United States and the other, has elevated the challenge of deterring both simultaneously. —

Charles L. Glaser, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'opportunistic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.