Opportunism
noun
The practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances often at the cost of ethics or principles.
Political opportunism is common during elections when politicians focus on short-term benefits instead of long-term issues.
Often appears as...
- political opportunism
- economic opportunism
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
The practice of changing actions, principles, etc. to take advantage of opportunities or circumstances.
In business, opportunism can be seen in people who change their decisions according to the situation to gain some advantage.
Often appears as...
- strategic opportunism
- corporate opportunism
Usage tips
Neutral
Academic
noun
The practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances often at the cost of ethics or principles.
Political opportunism is common during elections when politicians focus on short-term benefits instead of long-term issues.
Often appears as...
- political opportunism
- economic opportunism
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
The practice of changing actions, principles, etc. to take advantage of opportunities or circumstances.
In business, opportunism can be seen in people who change their decisions according to the situation to gain some advantage.
Often appears as...
- strategic opportunism
- corporate opportunism
Usage tips
Neutral
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Using 'opportunism' suggests disapproval, often hinting at selfishness or dishonest gain.
His opportunism led to distrust among his peers.
Pro Tip 2/3Ethical Implications
The term implies actions may conflict with ethical standards or social norms.
The CEO's opportunism conflicted with the company's values.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Negative
Sometimes 'opportunism' reflects resourcefulness in difficult situations, not just greed.
She defended her opportunism as a means of survival.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Using 'opportunism' suggests disapproval, often hinting at selfishness or dishonest gain.
His opportunism led to distrust among his peers.
Pro Tip 2/3Ethical Implications
The term implies actions may conflict with ethical standards or social norms.
The CEO's opportunism conflicted with the company's values.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Negative
Sometimes 'opportunism' reflects resourcefulness in difficult situations, not just greed.
She defended her opportunism as a means of survival.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Using 'opportunism' suggests disapproval, often hinting at selfishness or dishonest gain.
His opportunism led to distrust among his peers.
Pro Tip 2/3Ethical Implications
The term implies actions may conflict with ethical standards or social norms.
The CEO's opportunism conflicted with the company's values.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Negative
Sometimes 'opportunism' reflects resourcefulness in difficult situations, not just greed.
She defended her opportunism as a means of survival.
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Video examples
Thousands of Cranes Take...
they're some of the world's most successful birds in terms of how long they've been around on this planet and i think eating they're eating corn even though it's only been around for a hundred years which is a tiny portion of their evolution it's another measure of their resilience and their opportunism they're taking advantage of a of a new food source
Video examples
Can democracy exist...
rational arguments and discussions and we can lose this with the very noble idea to keep people accountable for showing the people that we are not going to tolerate politicians they opportunism in politics so for me this is extremely important and i do believe that when we
Video examples
Ivan Krastev: Can...
to keep people accountable for showing the people that we're not going to tolerate politicians the opportunism in politics. So for me this is extremely important. And I do believe that when we're discussing politics these days, probably it makes sense
Video examples
Living with a Leopard PIPE...
is their sheer opportunism they'll eat almost anything from an insect to a buffalo and this natural versatility enables them to exploit our world as my dog had just learned - its cost
Video examples
Thousands of Cranes Take...
they're some of the world's most successful birds in terms of how long they've been around on this planet and i think eating they're eating corn even though it's only been around for a hundred years which is a tiny portion of their evolution it's another measure of their resilience and their opportunism they're taking advantage of a of a new food source
Video examples
Can democracy exist...
rational arguments and discussions and we can lose this with the very noble idea to keep people accountable for showing the people that we are not going to tolerate politicians they opportunism in politics so for me this is extremely important and i do believe that when we
Video examples
Ivan Krastev: Can...
to keep people accountable for showing the people that we're not going to tolerate politicians the opportunism in politics. So for me this is extremely important. And I do believe that when we're discussing politics these days, probably it makes sense
Video examples
Living with a Leopard PIPE...
is their sheer opportunism they'll eat almost anything from an insect to a buffalo and this natural versatility enables them to exploit our world as my dog had just learned - its cost
Example 1 of 4
Quote examples
Michael J. Knowles
American Author
The Left wields blackface as a political cudgel, feigning offense and making excuses according to political convenience. Conservatives need not embrace the same cynical and vindictive tactics. We would prefer to live in a society marked by grace and civility rather than one marked by petty opportunism and cancel culture.
Quote examples
Rick Wilson
American Author
I've written about this before, but the sad truth is this: There are only a handful of Trump true believers in the Senate. The rest are chugging a toxic slurry of cowardice, ambition, and opportunism that has led members of the upper house of a co-equal branch of government to relinquish their power and prerogatives.
Quote examples
Nguyen Phu Trong
Vietnamese Politician
A number of party... members lack proper discipline, are plagued by individualism, selfishness and opportunism. This gives rise to some individuals' words not matching their deeds, not adhering to party rules and regulations and having no proper mechanisms for disciplining those who make mistakes.
Quote examples
Richard J. Roberts
English Scientist
The battle over genetically modified crops is rife with business interests and political opportunism. When GMOs were first produced in laboratories around the world, they were rightly heralded as a tremendous leap forward in our ability to supplement nature by providing high-nutrient foods.
Quote examples
Karen Bender
American Novelist
Writing about a person whose struggle you wish you could solve is an act of compassion and also, frankly, opportunism.
Quote examples
Christoffel Wiese
South African Businessman
I believe businesses don't grow or develop in terms of a blueprint. There is a huge element of opportunism involved.
Quote examples
Diablo Cody
American Writer
Ah, reality TV: where opportunists delight in exposing opportunism! It's kind of like the indie music scene.
Quote examples
Boots Riley
American Musician
The opportunism of electoral politics makes people lie to each other.
Quote examples
Milton Friedman
American Economist
One man's opportunism is another man's statesmanship.
Quote examples
H. D. Kumaraswamy
Indian Politician
Politics is nothing but opportunism.
Quote examples
Michael J. Knowles
American Author
The Left wields blackface as a political cudgel, feigning offense and making excuses according to political convenience. Conservatives need not embrace the same cynical and vindictive tactics. We would prefer to live in a society marked by grace and civility rather than one marked by petty opportunism and cancel culture.
Quote examples
Rick Wilson
American Author
I've written about this before, but the sad truth is this: There are only a handful of Trump true believers in the Senate. The rest are chugging a toxic slurry of cowardice, ambition, and opportunism that has led members of the upper house of a co-equal branch of government to relinquish their power and prerogatives.
Quote examples
Nguyen Phu Trong
Vietnamese Politician
A number of party... members lack proper discipline, are plagued by individualism, selfishness and opportunism. This gives rise to some individuals' words not matching their deeds, not adhering to party rules and regulations and having no proper mechanisms for disciplining those who make mistakes.
Quote examples
Richard J. Roberts
English Scientist
The battle over genetically modified crops is rife with business interests and political opportunism. When GMOs were first produced in laboratories around the world, they were rightly heralded as a tremendous leap forward in our ability to supplement nature by providing high-nutrient foods.
Quote examples
Karen Bender
American Novelist
Writing about a person whose struggle you wish you could solve is an act of compassion and also, frankly, opportunism.
Quote examples
Christoffel Wiese
South African Businessman
I believe businesses don't grow or develop in terms of a blueprint. There is a huge element of opportunism involved.
Quote examples
Diablo Cody
American Writer
Ah, reality TV: where opportunists delight in exposing opportunism! It's kind of like the indie music scene.
Quote examples
Boots Riley
American Musician
The opportunism of electoral politics makes people lie to each other.
Quote examples
Milton Friedman
American Economist
One man's opportunism is another man's statesmanship.
Quote examples
H. D. Kumaraswamy
Indian Politician
Politics is nothing but opportunism.
Example 1 of 10
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