Definition

1. Noun:
   • The practice of taking advantage of opportunities, especially to gain power or advantage, without regard for principles, ethics, or the consequences for others. It implies a self-serving, expedient approach that changes with circumstances.

Usage

Opportunism is used to describe behavior or a policy characterized by exploiting immediate circumstances, often with a negative connotation of being unprincipled or unscrupulous. It is typically a non-count noun.

Examples

• Noun:
  • His sudden change of policy was seen as pure opportunism, designed only to win votes.
  • The company's opportunism during the crisis, raising prices on essential goods, was widely condemned.
  • She accused her rival of political opportunism for adopting popular causes he had previously opposed.

Advanced Usage

• "Cynical opportunism": Emphasizes a distrustful, selfish form of opportunism.
  • The merger was an act of cynical opportunism, not a strategic partnership.
• "Sheer/Naked opportunism": Highlights the blatant, undisguised nature of the behavior.
  • His praise for the winning team was sheer opportunism; he had criticized them all season.

Variants and Related Words

• Opportunist (noun): A person who practices opportunism.
  • He was labeled an opportunist for switching parties just before the election.
• Opportunistic (adjective): Characterized by or involving opportunism; also used in biology/medicine to describe infections that take advantage of a weakened host.
  • The journalist made an opportunistic attack on the minister's minor error. (behavior)
  • Pneumonia can be an opportunistic infection in patients with compromised immune systems. (medical)

Synonyms

• Expediency: The quality of being convenient and practical, even if improper or immoral.
• Self-serving: Having concern for one's own welfare and interests before those of others.
• Cunning: Skill in achieving one's ends by deceit.

Antonyms

• Principle: A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior.
• Integrity: The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
• Consistency: Conformity in the application of something, often regarding standards or behavior.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To seize the main chance": An idiom meaning to take advantage of the best opportunity for personal gain, closely related to opportunism.
  • In business, he was always quick to seize the main chance, regardless of who was left behind.

Noun

1. taking advantage of opportunities without regard for the consequences for others