opportunism

opportunism
/op'euhr tooh"niz euhm, -tyooh"-/, n.
1. the policy or practice, as in politics, business, or one's personal affairs, of adapting actions, decisions, etc., to expediency or effectiveness regardless of the sacrifice of ethical principles.
2. action or judgment in accordance with this policy.
[1865-70; < It opportunismo, equiv. to opportun(o) ( < L opportunus; see OPPORTUNE) + -ismo -ISM]

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • opportunism — UK US /ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪzəm/ US  /ˌɒpərˈtuːnɪzəm/ noun [U] DISAPPROVING ► behaviour in which someone uses every situation to try to get power or an advantage: »He accused his opponent of political opportunism. »The acquisition of the struggling… …   Financial and business terms

  • Opportunism — Op por*tun ism, n. [Cf. F. opportunisme.] The art or practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances, or of seeking immediate advantage with little regard for ultimate consequences. [Recent] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • opportunism — index bribery Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • opportunism — 1870, from OPPORTUNE (Cf. opportune) + ISM (Cf. ism). Cf. OPPORTUNIST (Cf. opportunist) …   Etymology dictionary

  • opportunism — [äp΄ər to͞on′iz΄əm, äp΄ər tyo͞on′iz΄əm] n. [Fr opportunisme] the practice or policy of adapting one s actions, judgments, etc. to circumstances, as in politics, in order to further one s immediate interests, without regard for basic principles or …   English World dictionary

  • Opportunism — Opportunity Seized, Opportunity Missed. Engraving by Theodoor Galle, 1605. Contents 1 General definition …   Wikipedia

  • opportunism — [[t]ɒ̱pə(r)tju͟ːnɪzəm, AM tu͟ːn [/t]] N UNCOUNT (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 …   English dictionary

  • opportunism — op|por|tun|is|m [ˌɔpəˈtju:nızəm US ˌa:pərˈtu: ] n [U] using every opportunity to gain power, money, or unfair advantages used to show disapproval ▪ He accused the diary s publishers of blatant opportunism …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • opportunism — noun (U) trying whenever possible to gain power or unfair advantages over other people: a blatant piece of political opportunism …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • opportunism — noun she scaled the ladder of success with hard work and opportunism Syn: expediency, pragmatism, exploitation, Machiavellianism, maneuvering; pushing (all) the right buttons striking while the iron is hot, making hay while the sun shines …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • opportunism — opportunist ► NOUN ▪ a person who takes advantage of opportunities as and when they arise, regardless of planning or principle. ► ADJECTIVE ▪ opportunistic. DERIVATIVES opportunism noun …   English terms dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”