opportunists
Self-serving calculators
Opportunists are people who exploit circumstances for their own advantage, often without regard for principles or consequences.
The term usually carries negative connotations—suggesting someone who abandons ethics or loyalty when convenient: Political opportunists switched parties when the polls shifted.
In ecology, opportunist describes species that thrive by quickly exploiting available resources.
Ambitiously proactive people
- hustlersThose who deceive for profit
- self-startersPeople who act unprompted
- entrepreneursThose who launch ventures
- climbersThose who scale heights
strivers · careerists · networkers · deal-makers · movers · operators · players · social climbers
Exploiting the vulnerable
- manipulativeSkilled at controlling others
- unscrupulousLacking moral principles
- mercenarySoldier fighting for pay
- schemingCrafty and calculating
calculating · parasitic · vulturous · profiteering · cutthroat · ruthless · opportunism · carpetbaggers
Figured out mathematically
- tacticalStrategically planned
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- astuteMentally sharp, discerning
savvy · maneuvering · positioning · timing · foresight · planning · chess · pragmatic
Gap or start
- windowGlass-fitted wall opening
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- breakInterrupt continuity
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
foothold · edge · gain · prospect · windfall · timing · moment · gap
Able to bend freely
- resourcefulSkilled at solving problems
- versatileCapable in varied contexts
- resilientAble to recover quickly
- improvisationalWithout prior preparation
agile · quick-witted · reactive · nimble · pivoting · adjusting · capitalizing · responsive
go-getters
Ambitiously proactive people
- hustlersThose who deceive for profit
- self-startersPeople who act unprompted
- entrepreneursThose who launch ventures
climbers · strivers · careerists · networkers · deal-makers · movers · operators · players · social climbers · advancement
predatory
Exploiting the vulnerable
- manipulativeSkilled at controlling others
- unscrupulousLacking moral principles
- mercenarySoldier fighting for pay
scheming · calculating · parasitic · vulturous · profiteering · cutthroat · ruthless · opportunism · carpetbaggers · swindlers
calculated
Figured out mathematically
astute · savvy · maneuvering · positioning · timing · foresight · planning · chess · pragmatic · deliberate
opening
Gap or start
leverage · foothold · edge · gain · prospect · windfall · timing · moment · gap · vacuum
flexible
Able to bend freely
- resourcefulSkilled at solving problems
- versatileCapable in varied contexts
- resilientAble to recover quickly
improvisational · agile · quick-witted · reactive · nimble · pivoting · adjusting · capitalizing · responsive · situational
- commercetrade, banking, merchant, imports, sales
- predatorspredators, hunters, lions, falcon, fox
- seekersseekers, seeker, treasure hunters, searcher, fortune seekers
- sycophantssycophant, sycophants, toady, toadies, bootlicker
- throne seekersusurpers, heirs, successors, pretenders, claimants
opportunistsidealists
Pursuers of perfect visions
purists · moralists · true believers · dogmatists · altruists
opportunistsstrategists
Designers of careful plans
planners · visionaries · gradualists · steady hands · architects