opportunistic

adjective

op·​por·​tu·​nis·​tic ˌä-pər-tü-ˈni-stik How to pronounce opportunistic (audio)
-tyü-
: taking advantage of opportunities as they arise: such as
a
: exploiting opportunities with little regard to principle (see principle sense 1) or consequences
a politician considered opportunistic
an opportunistic investment
b
: feeding on whatever food is available
opportunistic feeders
opportunistic bears
c
: being or caused by a usually harmless microorganism that can become pathogenic when the host's resistance is impaired
opportunistic infections
opportunistic diseases
opportunistically adverb

Examples of opportunistic 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.
Most Nile crocodiles are opportunistic hunters, taking down whatever comes within striking distance. Scott Travers, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 The Trump administration should be both opportunistic and ambitious in its pursuit of economic security agreements. Geoffrey Gertz, Foreign Affairs, 6 Feb. 2025 Combs denied these allegations, describing them as opportunistic and false. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025 To Graeme Turner, emeritus professor of cultural studies at the University of Queensland, Mr. Dutton’s use of Mr. Trump’s words and rhetoric seem a lot more opportunistic than substantive. Victoria Kim, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for opportunistic

Word History

Etymology

opportunist + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of opportunistic was in 1892

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Cite this Entry

“Opportunistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opportunistic. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

opportunistic

noun
op·​por·​tu·​nis·​tic -t(y)ü-ˈnis-tik How to pronounce opportunistic (audio)
: taking advantage of opportunities as they arise: as
a
: exploiting opportunities with little regard to principle or consequences
an opportunistic cheater
b
: feeding on whatever food is available
opportunistic feeders

Medical Definition

opportunistic

adjective
op·​por·​tu·​nist·​ic -t(y)ü-ˈnis-tik How to pronounce opportunistic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or being a microorganism that is usually harmless but can become pathogenic when the host's resistance to disease is impaired
2
: of, relating to, or being an infection or disease caused by an opportunistic organism
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and other opportunistic infections that kill AIDS patientsNew York Times

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