opportunism

noun

op·​por·​tun·​ism ˌä-pər-ˈtü-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce opportunism (audio)
-ˈtyü-
: the art, policy, or practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances often with little regard for principles or consequences

Examples of opportunism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Dancing around Spider-Man without ever getting to use him also contributed to the feeling that these spin-off films were merely exercises in, ahem, craven opportunism. Adam B. Vary, Variety, 14 Dec. 2024 That potent and productive lie first emerged during the late 18th century, a byproduct of opportunism and the print revolution colliding with the material struggles of workers in unfree and expanding labor markets. Gunther Peck / Made By History, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024 Over the past four years, antitrust enforcement has become unmoored from its economic foundations, driven instead by ideological zeal and political opportunism. Mark Jamison, National Review, 22 Nov. 2024 An astounding amount for five days of purchases, forced up by widely reported and criticized price opportunism from gas suppliers. Llewellyn King, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for opportunism 

Word History

Etymology

opportune + -ism, after Italian opportunismo and French opportunisme

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of opportunism was in 1870

Dictionary Entries Near opportunism

Cite this Entry

“Opportunism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opportunism. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

opportunism

noun
op·​por·​tun·​ism ˌäp-ər-ˈt(y)ü-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce opportunism (audio)
: the practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances regardless of what one should do or what might happen

More from Merriam-Webster on opportunism

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