1
as in chameleons
a person who dexterously and expediently changes or adopts opinions
ever the opportunist, she immediately set about becoming the incoming administrator's new best friend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in bottom-feeders
one who does things only for his own benefit and with little regard for right and wrong
an opportunist who makes friends and then drops them as soon as they aren't useful anymore
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 opportunists
Freelance hunters planning to travel to this region should plan on being opportunists.
—
Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2025
With the deadline for New York’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act expiring tomorrow, opportunists are scrambling to file last-minute, meritless claims.
—Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 28 Feb. 2025
This lack of faith (and outright animus) toward institutions and public servants has allowed grifters, would-be oligarchs, and cynical political opportunists to fill the void.
—Adam Chandler, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
In practice, leaders will need to be mindful opportunists.
—World Economic Forum, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
Stop electing these opportunists, and please run candidates that care about our state and its citizens.
—Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025
With the landscape so distorted by the high rollers and opportunists, many displaced by the Palisades fire don’t even stand a chance on the West Side.
—Bridget Read, Curbed, 15 Jan. 2025
Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed the California National Guard and military police to LA County to protect residents from looters, arsonists, and other criminal opportunists.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
The confusion surrounding Holmes stands as a cautionary tale about the manipulation of copyright law—not by opportunists exploiting a valuable piece of intellectual property, but by the character’s official custodians.
—Alec Nevala-Lee, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2025
Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2025
With the deadline for New York’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act expiring tomorrow, opportunists are scrambling to file last-minute, meritless claims.
—Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 28 Feb. 2025
This lack of faith (and outright animus) toward institutions and public servants has allowed grifters, would-be oligarchs, and cynical political opportunists to fill the void.
—Adam Chandler, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
In practice, leaders will need to be mindful opportunists.
—World Economic Forum, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
Stop electing these opportunists, and please run candidates that care about our state and its citizens.
—Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025
With the landscape so distorted by the high rollers and opportunists, many displaced by the Palisades fire don’t even stand a chance on the West Side.
—Bridget Read, Curbed, 15 Jan. 2025
Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed the California National Guard and military police to LA County to protect residents from looters, arsonists, and other criminal opportunists.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
The confusion surrounding Holmes stands as a cautionary tale about the manipulation of copyright law—not by opportunists exploiting a valuable piece of intellectual property, but by the character’s official custodians.
—Alec Nevala-Lee, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opportunists
Noun
-
These wardrobe chameleons can easily transition from a casual day look to an evening out.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Isolated from the African continent, the island has evolved on its own terms, giving rise to wildlife found nowhere else on Earth—like the aye-aye, lemurs, and rare species of chameleons.—
Erina Pinar,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Even back on board, the show continues after dark, with pelicans and reef sharks drawn to the yacht’s lights and sea lions sometimes clambering onto the aft deck.—
Rachel Ingram,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
These waters are the only ones in Australia where divers can spot inquisitive Galápagos whaler sharks.—
Terry Ward,
AFAR Media,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Opportunists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opportunists. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share