1
as in chameleon
a person who dexterously and expediently changes or adopts opinions ever the opportunist, she immediately set about becoming the incoming administrator's new best friend

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2
as in bottom-feeder
one who does things only for his own benefit and with little regard for right and wrong an opportunist who makes friends and then drops them as soon as they aren't useful anymore

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of opportunist With dreams of finally striking it rich, the duo plunges headfirst into a cutthroat race against rival fortune-seekers, opportunists and underworld figures. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025 The measure shows how Florida’s flagship institution is formalizing political expectations for Ono, who conservative critics have renounced as a left-wing opportunist feigning opposition to DEI to appease the state’s Republican base. Garrett Shanley, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025 The almost inconceivable comedy that comes from Mickey 17’s ensemble which includes Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, and Toni Collette as morally questionable opportunists who seek out greed. Malik Peay, Essence, 7 Mar. 2025 He has been shown, as countless others have been, that to a political opportunist, no friend is indispensable and nothing is safe. The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for opportunist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opportunist
Noun
  • Beyond the music, expect a visual feast; Doja Cat is a true style chameleon, consistently serving up conversation-starting looks, with her latest Met Gala fit being a prime example.
    Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
  • This triggers the chameleon effect, unconscious bonding through similarity.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • With the July 31 trade deadline only two weeks beyond the Atlanta All-Star Game, contenders and would-be contenders are eying the rosters of bottom-feeders to fill the few holes on their rosters.
    Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • Hall, a 33-year-old former MVP who’d spent 1 1/2 seasons of his dwindling prime killing time on an NHL bottom-feeder, did in May exactly what Carolina acquired him to do back in January.
    Sean Gentille, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • While all sharks are carnivores, their diets vary widely.
    Hans Walters, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025
  • Since her move to Hawaii 12 years ago, she's broadened her knowledge on safety and sharks on the North Shore of O'ahu.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • His characters come off as feisty egoists who enjoy sparring and comparing the size of their ambitions.
    Justin Davidson, Vulture, 13 May 2025
  • The adage about egoists who want to be the bride at every wedding proved literally true.
    Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Opportunist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opportunist. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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