Taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances when they arise (often with little regard for principles )
{i} practice of seizing opportunities (often without regard for principles or ethics)
The art or practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances, or of seeking immediate advantage with little regard for ultimate consequences
timing; taking advantage of a news event to get something out of it for your side (e g responding to a story on "60 Minutes" that sings the praises of two glasses of red wine a day for cardiac health by putting out a news release -- or doing a press conference --with prestigious researchers refuting the story)
taking advantage of opportunities without regard for the consequences for others
disapproval If you refer to someone's behaviour as opportunism, you are criticizing them for taking advantage of any opportunity that occurs in order to gain money or power, without thinking about whether their actions are right or wrong. The Energy Minister responded by saying that the opposition's concern for the environment was political opportunism. using every opportunity to gain power, money, or unfair advantages - used to show disapproval
Opportunist actions are not planned, but are carried out in order to take advantage of a situation that has just occurred. Eric Cantona made the game safe with a brilliant opportunist goal
disapproval If you describe someone as opportunist, you are critical of them because they take advantage of any situation in order to gain money or power, without considering whether their actions are right or wrong. corrupt and opportunist politicians. An opportunist is someone who is opportunist. Like most successful politicians, Sinclair was an opportunist Car thieves are opportunists