What does opportunism mean?
Opportunism means taking advantage of circumstances, especially favorable ones, to advance one's own interests. In ordinary use, the word almost always carries a critical connotation: it suggests that someone is seizing practical advantages without regard to consistency, principle, or the effects on others. Political opportunism, for example, describes politicians who change their positions according to what benefits them, while career opportunism refers to pursuing advancement by exploiting connections or lucky breaks. The term can also be used in a more analytical sense to describe strategic adaptation to changing conditions, particularly in politics, diplomacy, and business. In that use, it may not necessarily imply dishonesty, though it still often suggests an emphasis on expedience over loyalty or ideology. Understanding the word helps distinguish exploiting an opportunity from simply recognizing and making good use of one. It is also a useful label for conduct that is broadly successful or advantageous but ethically or politically questionable.
nounThe practice of taking advantage of favorable circumstances for personal benefit, especially without regard to moral or ethical principles.
- The practice of exploiting favorable circumstances for personal benefit, especially in a way considered cynical, self-serving, or lacking principle.
- A political or strategic approach that prioritizes practical advantage and adapts to changing circumstances rather than adhering consistently to a fixed principle.
"His willingness to change his position whenever it benefited him was widely regarded as political opportunism."
"The newspaper accused the senator of political opportunism after he reversed his position on the bill."
"In negotiations, their reputation for opportunism made other delegates wary of sharing confidential information."
Rare; the noun is normally used in the singular or as an uncountable concept.
"The history criticizes the political opportunisms that emerged during periods of instability."
Latin opportunus meant “suitable” or “advantageous,” but opportunism came to mean exploiting whatever advantage the moment offers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does opportunism come from?
Opportunism entered English in the early 17th century from French opportunisme, a formation based on Latin opportunus, meaning “suitable,” “convenient,” or “advantageous.” The suffix -ism added the sense of a practice or doctrine, so the word developed from the idea of acting at an advantageous moment toward the modern sense of exploiting circumstances for personal benefit. Related English words include opportune, opportunity, and opportunist.
Related word forms
How opportunism is actually used
Usually negative and often disapproving, though it can be used more neutrally to describe strategic adaptation in politics or business. The noun is generally used in the singular and is commonly uncountable; the plural is uncommon.
Easily confused with opportunism
Opportunity is a favorable chance or circumstance, whereas opportunism is the practice of exploiting such chances for personal advantage.
An opportunist is a person who acts opportunistically, while opportunism is the practice or policy itself.