OPPORTUNISM Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

opportunism

noun

Definition of opportunism

as in aggression

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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 There’s deep, poetic honor in the grueling fight to rebuild a standard; to find the creative sparks and opportunism required to surprise the world again. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 18 May 2026 Creativity should be used to challenge the simplicity, laziness, and opportunism of certain performances of righteousness. — Literary Hub, 4 May 2026 When a disabled family objects after years of successful participation, that is not opportunism. — Kelsey Maurine Brickl, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026 At times, the ideological beliefs of some militants were mixed with financial opportunism, a motivation shared also by some politicians and military officers. — Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opportunism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for opportunism

Noun

What if Penelope’s waiting is her own form of aggression, a way of holding a space, for as long as possible, that excludes the men and their own attempts at power?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 July 2026
When scientists temporarily disabled mole-rats’ olfactory sensory neurons with chemicals, the aggression towards strangers disappeared.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026

Definition of aggression

Noun

Every year lost to delay is another year of constrained growth, postponed industrial investment, and missed economic opportunity that severely impacts current and future competitiveness.

— Andreas Schierenbeck, Fortune, 27 July 2026
The competitiveness of the Eastern Conference had already trended upward, as three of the last six champions have come from the East, including two in the last three years.

— Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 24 July 2026

Definition of competitiveness

Noun

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
Advertisement Jones uses his antihero’s blunt self-appraisals to avoid the pretentiousness endemic to stories about artists.

— Judy Berman, Time, 2 June 2026

Definition of pretentiousness

Noun

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
Modi is as nationalistic as Xi, and is no doubt irritated at the confidence and pushiness of its great eastern neighbor.

— Kerry Brown, Time, 4 Sep. 2025

Definition of pushiness

Noun

Their coach, Rudi Garcia, showed some tactical daring, holding out two of his more prominent players until partway through the second half, injecting some energy into the game when the starters began to flag.

— Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
According to the Montreal garbageman Simon Paré-Poupart, toddler garbage fandom is a manifestation of the age-old human appreciation of strength and daring.

— Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026

Definition of daring

Noun

In fact, this is where our motivations become personal and perhaps even slightly irritating, especially if repressed emotions or sensitivities rise to the surface.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
These cultures stem from varied motivations, including wellness, entrepreneurship, and historical advocacy, rather than a monolithic consumer identity.

— Peter Su, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of motivation

Noun

And while Paraguay deserve plenty of blame for what was a shockingly poor effort, Maucio Pochettino’s USMNT also deserves credit for instilling a killer instinct in his side that broke that Albirroja spirit.

— Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Kylian Mbappe of France and Norway’s Erling Haaland also got two goals each with the kind of mobility and killer instinct that Ronaldo has simply not shown in recent major tournaments.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 18 June 2026

Definition of killer instinct

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opportunism

opportunist

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“Opportunism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opportunism. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of opportunism

noun

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