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opportunism

American  
[op-er-too-niz-uhm, -tyoo-] / ˌɒp ərˈtu nɪz əm, -ˈtyu- /

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 Word Forms

  • opportunist noun

Etymology

Origin of opportunism

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.