opportunistic

[ op-er-too-nis-tik, -tyoo- ]

adjective

1. adhering to a policy of opportunism; practicing opportunism.
2. Pathology.
   1. (of a microorganism) causing disease only under certain conditions, as when a person's immune system is impaired.
   2. (of a disease or infection) caused by such an organism:

      Pneumocystis pneumonia is an opportunistic disease that often strikes victims of AIDS.

opportunistic

/ ˌɒpətjʊˈnɪstɪk /

adjective

1. of or characterized by opportunism
2. med (of an infection) caused by any microorganism that is harmless to a healthy person but debilitates a person whose immune system has been weakened by disease or drug treatment

Derived Forms

• ˌopportuˈnistically, adverb

Other Words From

• oppor·tun·isti·cal·ly adverb
• unop·por·tun·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of opportunistic¹

First recorded in 1890–95; opportunist + -ic

Example Sentences

We can expect him to use the office in blatantly transactional ways and be easily manipulated by opportunistic actors, foreign and domestic.

From Los Angeles Times

In this telling, Trump is not calling “for Cheney’s execution,” as the Drudge Report put it, but merely engaged in some opportunistic criticism, if not rank projection.

From Salon

"This is a great story of our scientific philosophy of being curious, opportunistic, and open minded to new biology, even if unexpected!"

From Salon

Again, though, that wasn’t the experience of another recent victim of opportunistic theft on Havana’s dimly lit streets.

From BBC

As part of their opportunistic and exploitative nature, Trump, his propagandists and other agents are trafficking in violence and chaos.

From Salon

Related Words

• cosmopolitan
• hardened
• practical
• selfish
• urbane