Definition

Adjective: - Taking immediate advantage, often unethically, of any circumstance of possible benefit: Describes behavior that seizes chances for personal gain, especially in a way that is unprincipled or exploitative, often without regard for long-term consequences or fairness.

Usage

The adjective "opportunistic" is used to describe actions, behaviors, policies, or individuals that exploit situations as they arise for self-benefit. It carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of principles or a willingness to compromise ethics for immediate gain. It is often used in contexts like politics, business, biology, and medicine.

Examples

• Describing a person or behavior:
  • The politician was criticized for his opportunistic shift in policy, which seemed designed only to win votes.
  • She made an opportunistic investment, buying the company's stock immediately after the scandal broke, hoping for a quick profit.
• In biology/medicine:
  • Pneumonia is a common opportunistic infection that attacks individuals with weakened immune systems.
  • The fungus is an opportunistic pathogen, only causing disease when the host's defenses are low.

Advanced Usage

• "Opportunistic behavior": A common phrase in economics and sociology referring to self-interest seeking with guile, such as breaking an agreement when it is beneficial and one can avoid detection.
  • The contract was designed to minimize opportunistic behavior by either party.
• "Opportunistic sampling": In research, a non-probability sampling technique where researchers take samples from individuals or cases that are conveniently available.
  • The study used an opportunistic sampling method, interviewing shoppers at a single mall.

Variants and Related Words

• Opportunist (noun): A person who exploits opportunities, especially in an unprincipled way.
  • He was seen as a political opportunist, changing his stance to suit the prevailing mood.
• Opportunism (noun): The practice of exploiting circumstances for immediate gain, with little regard for principles or consequences.
  • The merger was an act of pure opportunism, not strategic planning.

Synonyms

• Exploitative: Taking unfair advantage of a situation or person.
• Calculating: Acting in a scheming and shrewd way, especially for one's own advantage.
• Expedient: Convenient and practical, possibly ignoring moral considerations.

Antonyms

• Principled: Acting in accordance with morality and ethics.
• Scrupulous: Very careful to do what is right, honest, or morally correct.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• "To seize the opportunity": This neutral or positive phrase means to take advantage of a chance. "Opportunistic" implies doing so in a specifically unprincipled manner.
  • He seized the opportunity to study abroad. (Neutral/Positive)
  • Her opportunistic takeover of the failing business involved firing all the long-term staff. (Negative)

Adjective

1. taking immediate advantage, often unethically, of any circumstance of possible benefit