opportunism

[ op-er-too-niz-uhm, -tyoo- ]

noun

1. the policy or practice, as in politics, business, or one's personal affairs, of adapting actions, decisions, etc., to expediency or effectiveness regardless of the sacrifice of ethical principles.
2. action or judgment in accordance with this policy.

Other Words From

• oppor·tunist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of opportunism¹

1865–70; < Italian opportunismo, equivalent to opportun ( o ) (< Latin opportūnus; opportune ) + -ismo -ism

Example Sentences

Finding work in the UK was, he said, about luck and opportunism.

From BBC

Massry and his store exemplify, in some ways, the kind of callow opportunism that many Democrats have long associated with Trump himself and the elite Republicans who sign on to his “populist” schtick.

From Slate

Today the Republican Party has become good at racialized political opportunism and exploitation of white racial fears.

From Salon

This is central to Trump’s fascism, demagoguery, political opportunism, and feral politics.

From Salon

Routh does seem to have been genuinely passionate about Ukraine and eager to get somehow involved, but the claims about his activities—propagated by himself and spread by others, out of gullibility or opportunism—are not genuine in the slightest.

From Slate