opportunistic

adjective

Definition of opportunisticnext
as in aggressive
attentive to and ready to act on opportunities for personal gain or advancement The opportunistic salesperson was always on the lookout for potential new customers.

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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 opportunistic The most common reason that children end up hospitalized from the flu is pneumonia and other respiratory problems, whether from the virus itself or from opportunistic bacteria, Rao said. — Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2026 Dillane, superb in Harris Dickinson’s Urchin, has presence but is somewhat shortchanged by the script’s one-dimensional grasp of Willoughby, the dashing romantic hero revealed to be an opportunistic cad who breaks Marianne’s heart. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026 Gulf airlines are coming out swinging after a brutal year, fending off opportunistic European rivals and instability at home. — semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026 Raccoons Raccoons are clever, opportunistic feeders, eating whatever’s readily available, including plant and animal matter, garbage, pet food, bird seed, vegetable gardens, and eggs from chicken coops. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opportunistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opportunistic
  1. aggressive
  2. diligent
  3. aspiring
  4. industrious
  5. enterprising
  6. dynamic
Adjective
  • While Chelsea tend to retreat after taking the lead, their opponents also become more aggressive in response, committing extra bodies forward and helping to create more open, end-to-end encounters.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The acquisition comes after the distributor’s founder and then-CEO, Andrew Karpen, died from an aggressive form of brain cancer at the age of 59 in May 2025.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • There are no straightforward steps like in the days when a diligent worker could land a job at a good company, work hard to get promoted and hope to climb the corporate ladder.
    — Julia Carpenter, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Edwards said Brown was diligent in going to work and didn’t worry about the weather at all.
    — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of diligent
Adjective
  • Jennifer Peedom first visited the Himalayas over 20 years ago as an aspiring filmmaker, tagging along with a friend who was working on an Everest expedition.
    — Tamara Southward, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026
  • How Victoria’s Secret Is Choosing Its Next Angel The search began in April, when Victoria’s Secret announced an open casting call for aspiring models.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of aspiring
Adjective
  • Loosehead Boris Wenger and backrow Joaquin Moro were industrious and both scored tries while fullback Geronimo Piscatelli was a constant attacking threat, scoring one try and missing two others.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Alongside his final-third prowess, Fernandes was industrious across the pitch, playing eight passes into the final third per game, more than any other United player.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of industrious
Adjective
  • From an honorary Founding Father to an enterprising immigrant, the meaning of Columbus to the Americas is diverse and ever-changing.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Bridget also proves to be an enterprising young woman, negotiating a higher salary for herself within seconds of accepting the new job.
    — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of enterprising
Adjective
  • The cast was flanked by the dynamic duo behind the film, Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, who drew upon their real relationship to navigate some of the film’s trickier moments.
    — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Because your husband should totally be your mentor, that’s a very healthy power dynamic!
    — Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of dynamic

Browse Nearby Words

opportunist
opportunistic
opportunists
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Cite this Entry

“Opportunistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opportunistic. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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