Opportunist
/ˌɑːpərˈtuːnɪst/noun
A person who takes advantage of opportunities as and when they arise, regardless of planning or principle.
Many view him as a political opportunist, willing to switch sides for personal gain.
Often appears as...
- political opportunist
- selfish opportunist
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Exploiting situations to one's own advantage.
His opportunist move paid off when he sold his shares right before the market crash.
Often appears as...
- opportunist behavior
- opportunist approach
Usage tips
Slightly Disapproving
noun
A person who takes advantage of opportunities as and when they arise, regardless of planning or principle.
Many view him as a political opportunist, willing to switch sides for personal gain.
Often appears as...
- political opportunist
- selfish opportunist
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Exploiting situations to one's own advantage.
His opportunist move paid off when he sold his shares right before the market crash.
Often appears as...
- opportunist behavior
- opportunist approach
Usage tips
Slightly Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Implication
Often implies that the person lacks ethics or principles when taking advantage of situations.
Leaders criticized his opportunist dealings during the crisis.
Pro Tip 2/3Strategic vs. Opportunistic
Unlike strategic people, opportunists don't have long-term plans and may seem unpredictable.
He's not strategic but an opportunist, seizing any chance that comes.
Pro Tip 3/3Contextual Usage
An opportunist is often associated with seizing unexpected, sometimes controversial, opportunities.
The city's housing crisis turned her into a real estate opportunist.
Compare with
adaptorconformmachiavellianmercenarypragmatistrealist
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Video examples
Saints vs. Strangers PIPE...
they were just regular folk everyone sort of understands the idea that they were seeking religious freedom but I think what we don't usually get in school is that they weren't there weren't all religious pilgrims there was opportunists you know looking for a better life and they happen to share a
Video examples
The rise of modern...
They make exorbitant promises to their supporters, while casting their opponents as traitors actively undermining the country. But whether these politicians are sincere believers or manipulative opportunists, the dynamics they unleash can be profoundly destabilizing for liberal democracy.
Video examples
Largest Lizard on Earth...
I think you might want to back up a little bit there. As opportunists, these lizards will try and eat anything they think they can get away with, even, occasionally, people. It seems that pickings around the guides' huts must be pretty good,
Video examples
Hippo Fights Crocodiles...
Crocodiles are opportunists. They feed on fish in the river, and at this time of year, will make the most of any dying or dead hippos, but they will also take advantage of any animal coming to the river to drink.
Video examples
Meet the Neighbours PIPE...
the banded brothers aren't just attracted to the smell of the dung they also come for the grubs and insects that can be found within it as the ultimate opportunists banded mongoose rarely go hungry around here
Video examples
Being David Sarnoff PIPE...
one of many opportunists during this era of television coming into our lives that felt he had discovered something that was important that was very unique and I think in the overall scheme of things
Video examples
Greatest Fights In The...
machines have come in just to you know keep the system freshened up crocodiles are opportunists they feed on fish in the river and at this time of year will make the
Video examples
Top 5 Killer Crocodile...
system freshened up crocodiles are opportunists they feed on fish in the river and at this time of year will make the most of any dying or dead hippos
Video examples
Lions Attempt to Take...
Lions will normally avoid hunting in such heat. But they're also opportunists.
Video examples
Best Scenes From The...
Lions will normally avoid hunting in such heat but they're also opportunists
Video examples
Saints vs. Strangers PIPE...
they were just regular folk everyone sort of understands the idea that they were seeking religious freedom but I think what we don't usually get in school is that they weren't there weren't all religious pilgrims there was opportunists you know looking for a better life and they happen to share a
Video examples
The rise of modern...
They make exorbitant promises to their supporters, while casting their opponents as traitors actively undermining the country. But whether these politicians are sincere believers or manipulative opportunists, the dynamics they unleash can be profoundly destabilizing for liberal democracy.
Video examples
Largest Lizard on Earth...
I think you might want to back up a little bit there. As opportunists, these lizards will try and eat anything they think they can get away with, even, occasionally, people. It seems that pickings around the guides' huts must be pretty good,
Video examples
Hippo Fights Crocodiles...
Crocodiles are opportunists. They feed on fish in the river, and at this time of year, will make the most of any dying or dead hippos, but they will also take advantage of any animal coming to the river to drink.
Video examples
Meet the Neighbours PIPE...
the banded brothers aren't just attracted to the smell of the dung they also come for the grubs and insects that can be found within it as the ultimate opportunists banded mongoose rarely go hungry around here
Video examples
Being David Sarnoff PIPE...
one of many opportunists during this era of television coming into our lives that felt he had discovered something that was important that was very unique and I think in the overall scheme of things
Video examples
Greatest Fights In The...
machines have come in just to you know keep the system freshened up crocodiles are opportunists they feed on fish in the river and at this time of year will make the
Video examples
Top 5 Killer Crocodile...
system freshened up crocodiles are opportunists they feed on fish in the river and at this time of year will make the most of any dying or dead hippos
Video examples
Lions Attempt to Take...
Lions will normally avoid hunting in such heat. But they're also opportunists.
Video examples
Best Scenes From The...
Lions will normally avoid hunting in such heat but they're also opportunists
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Claudette Colvin
American Activist
For African-Americans, it's still going to be - some people say double hard - I'd say four times as hard. Be an opportunist. Take advantage of your resources, because the only way to win is with education, self-esteem, having value in yourself.
Quote examples
Nick Rhodes
English Musician
A lot of other bands have tried to go out there and say we've got views on this and views on that. But some of it I've found opportunist. Duran Duran has always been honest about everything. We've always laid everything out.
Quote examples
Ernest Hemingway
American Novelist
The first panacea for a mismanaged nation is inflation of the currency; the second is war. Both bring a temporary prosperity; both bring a permanent ruin. But both are the refuge of political and economic opportunists.
Quote examples
Tom Vilsack
American Politician
Rural Americans want leaders who help middle-class communities to plan and prosper over the long-term - not opportunists who reap the rewards for themselves, leaving nothing for the people who do the sowing.
Quote examples
Aparna Sen
Indian Director
It is the responsibility of a director to introduce their politics in their films, and whether you like it or not your politics will be reflected unless you are an opportunist which some directors are.
Quote examples
Frank Gehry
American Architect
The fact is I'm an opportunist. I'll take materials around me, materials on my table, and work with them as I'm searching for an idea that works.
Quote examples
Ralph W. Sockman
American Leader
When the dictators and the opportunists are gone, the cross will still stand before us and something in us will say, 'That is the real thing.
Quote examples
Frank Abagnale
American Celebrity
I was an opportunist and got away with things because I was very young, but I went to prison and came out and remade my life.
Quote examples
Evangeline Lilly
Canadian Actress
I am an opportunist. When opportunities come, and I see them serving my grander goals in life, I take them.
Quote examples
Homaro Cantu
American Inventor
The world is full of challenges, but with those come opportunity, and I'm an opportunist.
Quote examples
Claudette Colvin
American Activist
For African-Americans, it's still going to be - some people say double hard - I'd say four times as hard. Be an opportunist. Take advantage of your resources, because the only way to win is with education, self-esteem, having value in yourself.
Quote examples
Nick Rhodes
English Musician
A lot of other bands have tried to go out there and say we've got views on this and views on that. But some of it I've found opportunist. Duran Duran has always been honest about everything. We've always laid everything out.
Quote examples
Ernest Hemingway
American Novelist
The first panacea for a mismanaged nation is inflation of the currency; the second is war. Both bring a temporary prosperity; both bring a permanent ruin. But both are the refuge of political and economic opportunists.
Quote examples
Tom Vilsack
American Politician
Rural Americans want leaders who help middle-class communities to plan and prosper over the long-term - not opportunists who reap the rewards for themselves, leaving nothing for the people who do the sowing.
Quote examples
Aparna Sen
Indian Director
It is the responsibility of a director to introduce their politics in their films, and whether you like it or not your politics will be reflected unless you are an opportunist which some directors are.
Quote examples
Frank Gehry
American Architect
The fact is I'm an opportunist. I'll take materials around me, materials on my table, and work with them as I'm searching for an idea that works.
Quote examples
Ralph W. Sockman
American Leader
When the dictators and the opportunists are gone, the cross will still stand before us and something in us will say, 'That is the real thing.
Quote examples
Frank Abagnale
American Celebrity
I was an opportunist and got away with things because I was very young, but I went to prison and came out and remade my life.
Quote examples
Evangeline Lilly
Canadian Actress
I am an opportunist. When opportunities come, and I see them serving my grander goals in life, I take them.
Quote examples
Homaro Cantu
American Inventor
The world is full of challenges, but with those come opportunity, and I'm an opportunist.
Example 1 of 10
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