opportunist

American  

[op-er-too-nist, -tyoo-] / ˌɒp ərˈtu nɪst, -ˈtyu- /

noun

1. a person who practices opportunism, or the policy of adapting actions, decisions, etc., to effectiveness regardless of the sacrifice of ethical principles.

   He is an extreme opportunist and always thinks the ends justify the means.

---

opportunist British  

/ ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪst /

noun

1. a person who adapts his actions, responses, etc, to take advantage of opportunities, circumstances, etc

---

adjective

1. taking advantage of opportunities and circumstances in this way

Other Word Forms

• opportunism noun

Etymology

Origin of opportunist

First recorded in 1865–70; opportun(ism) ( def. ) + -ist ( def. )

Example Sentences

An opportunist goal by Soumare on 54 minutes gave Le Havre a 2-1 home win over Strasbourg in Ligue 1.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

She may be a conniving opportunist; she may be an abused and desperate woman simply hoping for a better life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026

In “Werckmeister Harmonies,” another opportunist visits another desperate town, this time accompanying a traveling exhibit of a preserved whale.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

The thing that's important to understand about Putin is he's an opportunist and he's a tactician, not a strategist.

From Salon • Oct. 18, 2024

Now she was the subject of many da-zi-bao calling her an opportunist, a black executioner, a corruptor of the young.

From "Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution" by Ji-li Jiang

Related Words

• carpetbagger