opportunism

noun

Definition of opportunismnext
as in aggression

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of opportunism At the same time, Bhumjaithai’s vacuous opportunism reflects a new form of realpolitik that appears much more durable than previous iterations. — Duncan McCargo, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2026 Hong was counting on moderate voters not noticing the change, or at least not seeing her metamorphosis as little more than political opportunism. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Aug. 2026 It will not be driven by reconstruction necessity, leveraged buyout logic or crisis opportunism. — Murthy Maddali, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Whether viewed as principled adaptation or political opportunism, Graham repeatedly aligned himself toward the direction South Carolina, Southern and Republican politics were moving. — Christopher A. Cooper, The Conversation, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for opportunism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opportunism
  1. aggression
  2. competitiveness
  3. pretentiousness
  4. pushiness
  5. assertiveness
  6. daring
  7. motivation
  8. killer instinct
Noun
  • UConn, perhaps feeding off the homecourt-like vibes in the building, maintained a blend of poise and aggression.
    — Matt Langone, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2026
  • This brain area is known to be involved in fear and defense responses and aggression.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of aggression
Noun
  • Eyes are now on Senate control, as an unexpected competitiveness by Democrats in a handful of red states has put the majority into play.
    — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • OpenAI cited South Korea's ranking among global leaders in AI readiness and significant public-private funding to strengthen competitiveness as reasons for expanding its presence in the country.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of competitiveness
Noun
  • Staff members treat patrons like family, a welcome departure from the pretentiousness that sometimes comes with more luxurious bookings.
    — Joey Skladany, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Gabrielle and Katerina credit the enduring appeal of Dan Tana’s to its persistent lack of pretentiousness.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of pretentiousness
Noun
  • One person sees confidence while someone else sees pushiness.
    — Paula Johnston, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • From his first moments onscreen in a performance of Duracell Bunny physicality and motormouth pushiness, Chalamet conveys the sense of a shameless young man willing himself toward greatness with a combination of chutzpah, amorality and unshakeable self-belief.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 1 Dec. 2025
Definition of pushiness
Noun
  • As Russia sees it, the new American assertiveness in Venezuela, Cuba, and the Caribbean is unsurprising.
    — Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Organizations tend to notice people who project assertiveness.
    — Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of assertiveness
Noun
  • From this year, the program will recognize three winners in each discipline for technical skill and creative daring.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Some of the ways that Tresnjak ups the ante on that daring have diminishing returns.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of daring
Noun
  • While no explosive devices have yet been found following bomb threats, the motivation behind the reports remains unclear.
    — Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
  • But Pessiglione suspects that psychological factors, such as motivations and beliefs, also play a key role.
    — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of motivation
Noun
  • Few have been better at Florida, which heads to Chattanooga on Sunday with McMiller leading the way with her scoring and killer instinct.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
  • San Diego had World Series aspirations coming into October, but Milwaukee flexed a better killer instinct to tear them to shreds.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of killer instinct

Browse Nearby Words

opportuneness
opportunism
opportunist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Opportunism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opportunism. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of valorous

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All