opportunistic
adjUK /ˌɒp.əˌtjuːˈnɪs.tɪk/ · US /ˌɑ.pɚˌt(j)uːˈnɪs.tɪk/
Etymology From opportunist + -ic.
1
Taking advantage of situations that arise.
- The danger now isn't so much from the AIDS virus itself as from opportunistic infections.
2
Taking advantage of situations to advance one's own interests without regard for moral principles.
- You can't trust somebody that opportunistic: he'll stab you in the back the first chance he gets.
- […] an opportunistic relative masquerading as his rescuer, […]1997 September 28, “In Rescuing a Relative, a Helping or a Heavy Hand?”, in The New York Times:
1 more example
- Now, maybe you see this as sort of an obvious and opportunistic publicity play by a competing social-media service. Maybe it even seems crass to you—a little grave-dancy.2022 November 18, Kaitlyn Tiffany, “Tumblr Gets the Last Laugh”, in The Atlantic:
- Derived terms
- nonopportunistic, opportunistically, opportunistic infection, opportunistic necrophiliac, unopportunistic
- Related terms
- opportunist, opportunism, opportunity