opportunism
noun
op·por·tun·ism
ˌä-pər-ˈtü-ˌni-zəm 
-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
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But turning this moment into lasting advantage will require careful planning, not just short-term opportunism.
—
Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Leavitt’s opportunism was paying off.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
In low-trust societies, coordination costs rise, compliance drops, and political life becomes dominated by short-term opportunism.
—Klaus Schwab, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
What gets to Cannon in the end—what breaks her open—is the combination of physical exhaustion, Trish’s opportunism, and a co-worker’s bad faith.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opportunism
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Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Leavitt’s opportunism was paying off.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
In low-trust societies, coordination costs rise, compliance drops, and political life becomes dominated by short-term opportunism.
—Klaus Schwab, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
What gets to Cannon in the end—what breaks her open—is the combination of physical exhaustion, Trish’s opportunism, and a co-worker’s bad faith.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opportunism
Cite this Entry
“Opportunism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opportunism. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
opportunism
noun
op·por·tun·ism
ˌäp-ər-ˈt(y)ü-ˌniz-əm
: the practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances regardless of what one should do or what might happen
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