adjective
opportunistic
op-uh-tyoo-NIHS-tihk
Opportunistic (adjective) means Quick to take advantage of opportunities as they arise, often without regard for principles. Example: “The company made an opportunistic acquisition when its rival went bankrupt.”
adjective
1
Quick to take advantage of opportunities as they arise, often without regard for principles.
"Now, maybe you see this as sort of an obvious and opportunistic publicity play by a competing social-media service. Maybe it even seems crass to you—a little grave-dancy."
— Kaitlyn Tiffany, Tumblr Gets the Last Laugh (2022)
"You can't trust somebody that opportunistic: he'll stab you in the back the first chance he gets."
"The company made an opportunistic acquisition when its rival went bankrupt."
"Some predators are opportunistic feeders, eating whatever is easiest to catch."
How to use opportunistic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishReady to exploit a chance the moment it appears, whether in business, nature, or personal ambition.
Common pairings
opportunistic behavior
opportunistic infection
opportunistic feeder
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more opportunistic
- Superlative
- most opportunistic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company made an _____ acquisition when its rival went bankrupt.
Etymology
From opportunist plus the adjective suffix "-ic."
Synonyms
View more →
opportunist
timeserving
Related words
Rhymes for opportunistic
holistic
sadistic
artistic
autistic
logistic
heuristic
statistic
realistic
ballistic
hedonistic
linguistic
futuristic
See all rhymes for opportunistic →
Frequently asked questions
What does “opportunistic” mean?
The word “opportunistic” means quick to take advantage of opportunities as they arise, often without regard for principles. In plain terms, ready to exploit a chance the moment it appears, whether in business, nature, or personal ambition.
How do you pronounce “opportunistic”?
“Opportunistic” is pronounced op-uh-tyoo-NIHS-tihk (/ˌɑ.pɚˌt(j)uːˈnɪs.tɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “opportunistic” in a sentence?
Here is “opportunistic” used in a sentence: “The company made an opportunistic acquisition when its rival went bankrupt.”
What part of speech is “opportunistic”?
“Opportunistic” is an adjective.
