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
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Recent Examples of opportunistic
Many successors fear that moving beyond their predecessor’s vision will be seen as disrespectful, inauthentic, or even opportunistic—as if change itself were an act of betrayal.
—
Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Using one of the worst disasters in our state’s history to score political points while increasing costs across the state is opportunistic at best.
—Peter Kwong, Orange County Register, 10 Mar. 2025
Measles induces an acute immunosuppressed state that can last from two weeks to two months, putting a patient at high risk for opportunistic infections such as influenza and bacterial pneumonia.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
The problem goes beyond Nasha's opportunistic desire for an awkward threesome with the two Mickeys.
—Ars Technica, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opportunistic
Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Using one of the worst disasters in our state’s history to score political points while increasing costs across the state is opportunistic at best.
—Peter Kwong, Orange County Register, 10 Mar. 2025
Measles induces an acute immunosuppressed state that can last from two weeks to two months, putting a patient at high risk for opportunistic infections such as influenza and bacterial pneumonia.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
The problem goes beyond Nasha's opportunistic desire for an awkward threesome with the two Mickeys.
—Ars Technica, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opportunistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opportunistic
Adjective
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But in recent weeks, Musk dramatically lowered his taxpayer savings estimates from DOGE's government cuts, disagreed publicly with Trump's aggressive tariff policies and butted heads with multiple Trump officials, some publicly, revealing divisions within the White House over Musk's influence.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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Moderate Republicans from swing districts are balking at deep cuts to social safety net programs, even as hardliners demand more aggressive reductions.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This means investors need to conduct diligent research into both financial and ethical factors.—
Sahit Muja,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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Kai seems like a sweet kid — a diligent server, a talented performer, loyal to Paula despite being tempted by her best friend, Olivia (played by Sydney Sweeney).—
Eddie Mouradian,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Margaret has also summoned Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Hayden Anderson to the island for a monthlong trial period; whichever aspiring writer wins Margaret’s favor gets to pen her biography.—
Maya Layne,
Vogue,
22 Apr. 2025
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Set in 1992 in Aspen, Colorado, and inspired by a true story, Gonzo Girl follows Alley Russo, an aspiring writer who takes on an assistant job to the iconoclast and founder of gonzo journalism, Walker Reade.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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These Southeast Asian canopy dwellers are also among the most industrious and organized foragers in the rainforest treetops.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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Ukrainians are a good-humored, industrious and resourceful people who finally achieved independence in 1991 with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, precipitated by the aggressive stance against communism by President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In a defense sentencing memo, Gonzalez’s attorney describes her as a gifted and enterprising young woman who acquired a B.S. degree in civil and environmental engineering and architectural design from Stanford in 2015, and was involved in other entrepreneurial activities beyond her drug business.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
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Von Reden is just one of the enterprising founders on this year’s 30 Under 30 Europe Science & Healthcare list.—
Pamela Jew,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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How will 8 new coaches fare? WNBA to broadcast 4 preseason games nationally for first time as league dynamic changes What to watch in sports this week: Playoffs, Champions League semis and 151st Kentucky Derby James Boyd is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Indianapolis Colts.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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This is all part of their mission to make digital mindfulness and wellness accessible to as many people as possible through dynamic content and interactive experiences.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Opportunistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opportunistic. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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