Opportunism: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
opportunism
[ หษpษrหtunษชzษm ]
political behavior
Opportunism is the practice of taking advantage of opportunities as they arise, often with little regard for principles or consequences. It can be seen in various contexts, such as politics, business, or personal relationships, where individuals may prioritize immediate gains over ethical considerations.
Synonyms
exploitation, pragmatism, self-serving.
Examples of usage
- His opportunism in securing funding angered his colleagues.
- The politician's opportunism during the crisis was criticized by the media.
- She was accused of opportunism for changing her stance to win votes.
business practice
In a business context, opportunism refers to the tendency of individuals or companies to take advantage of favorable situations to maximize profits, even if it means bending rules or acting unethically. This often leads to a competitive advantage, albeit sometimes at the expense of trust.
Synonyms
calculating, opportunity-seeking.
Examples of usage
- His opportunism was evident when he undercut his competitors' prices.
- Opportunism in market strategies can lead to backlash from consumers.
- Companies must be careful not to let opportunism compromise their integrity.
Translations
Translations of the word "opportunism" in other languages:
๐ต๐น oportunismo
๐ฎ๐ณ เค เคตเคธเคฐเคตเคพเคฆ
๐ฉ๐ช Opportunismus
๐ฎ๐ฉ opurtunisme
๐บ๐ฆ ะพะฟะพัััะฝัะทะผ
๐ต๐ฑ opportunizm
๐ฏ๐ต ใชใใใฅใใบใ
๐ซ๐ท opportunisme
๐ช๐ธ oportunismo
๐น๐ท fฤฑrsatรงฤฑlฤฑk
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ธฐํ์ฃผ์
๐ธ๐ฆ ุงูุงูุชูุงุฒูุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ opportunismus
๐ธ๐ฐ opportunizmus
๐จ๐ณ ๆบไผไธปไน
๐ธ๐ฎ opportunizem
๐ฎ๐ธ tรฆkifรฆrisstefna
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะผาฏะผะบัะฝััะปะดัะบ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแแแแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ imkanรงฤฑlฤฑq
๐ฒ๐ฝ oportunismo
Etymology
The term 'opportunism' originates from the Latin word 'opportunus', meaning 'convenient' or 'favorable'. It evolved through the French word 'opportunisme' in the late 19th century, primarily associated with political circles. Initially, it was a neutral term referring to seizing opportunities, but its connotation shifted over time to imply unethical or self-serving behavior. This shift is largely due to its use in a political context, where individuals or groups take advantage of situations for personal gain. Today, the term encompasses a broader range of scenarios, including business and personal relationships, marking a shift from its original meaning of simply being opportunistic to a more critical view of the ethical implications of such behavior.