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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 According to Professor Jones, the tapestry gives us not just a story of a proud, self-regarding, opportunistic man (Harold) who overstretches himself. — Mark Rice-Oxley, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026 Wasserman Schultz’s decision to run in the historically Black 20th Congressional District was selfish and opportunistic carpetbagging, a devastating usurpation of power from Black Floridians. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 Cover the Soil Like other weeds, ragweed is opportunistic and quickly invades areas of bare soil. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026 Because coverage expanded far faster than state oversight guardrails, opportunistic bad actors rushed in to exploit the system. — Richard Popiel, Boston Herald, 30 Aug. 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
  • The customized coupe features a T-top roof, aggressive aero body kit, and a graphics package that could have appeared in the original The Fast and the Furious.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026
  • At 5-10, 198 pounds, Parrish mostly played nickel corner in Todd Bowles’ aggressive scheme and shined as a rookie.
    — PJ Green September 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • The older, world-weary Jae-hwan (Park Hae-il) leads the City Desk, and investigates the event from a distance with the help of his police source, diligent detective Cheol-goo (Yoo Hai-jin).
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Treasury leaders must be diligent to ensure partners have what's needed to deliver safely and efficiently.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of diligent
Adjective
  • For aspiring cosmetologists and estheticians, choosing a school is about more than finding a path to licensure.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026
  • This year marks the first time the program will include workshops, giving aspiring writers direct access to Netflix content executives.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Sep. 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 release of Muse, however, has fundamentally changed that dynamic.
    — , CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The creative team lets the score choose the message using dynamic creative optimization (DCO).
    — Thomas Zawacki, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 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 27 Sep. 2026.

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