Definitions
- Describing someone who takes advantage of opportunities as they arise. - Referring to actions or behaviors that are based on taking advantage of a situation. - Talking about a person or action that is motivated by self-interest and the desire to gain an advantage.
- Describing someone who is clever and able to achieve their goals through skillful means. - Referring to actions or behaviors that are sly or deceitful in order to gain an advantage. - Talking about a person or action that is motivated by self-interest and the desire to outsmart others.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe actions or behaviors that are motivated by self-interest.
- 2Both words imply a desire to gain an advantage.
- 3Both words can be used to describe people or actions.
- 4Both words can have negative connotations.
What is the difference?
- 1Motivation: Opportunistic actions are motivated by the desire to take advantage of a situation, while cunning actions are motivated by the desire to outsmart others.
- 2Tone: Opportunistic has a more neutral connotation, while cunning often has a negative connotation.
- 3Means: Opportunistic actions may involve taking advantage of a situation without necessarily using deceitful means, while cunning actions often involve sly or deceitful means.
- 4Focus: Opportunistic actions focus on taking advantage of a situation, while cunning actions focus on achieving a goal through skillful means.
- 5Usage: Opportunistic is more commonly used in business or political contexts, while cunning is more commonly used in personal or interpersonal contexts.
Remember this!
Opportunistic and cunning are both words that describe actions or behaviors motivated by self-interest and the desire to gain an advantage. However, the difference between them lies in their motivation, tone, means, focus, and usage. Opportunistic actions are motivated by the desire to take advantage of a situation, while cunning actions are motivated by the desire to outsmart others. Opportunistic has a more neutral connotation, while cunning often has a negative connotation. Opportunistic actions may involve taking advantage of a situation without necessarily using deceitful means, while cunning actions often involve sly or deceitful means. Opportunistic actions focus on taking advantage of a situation, while cunning actions focus on achieving a goal through skillful means. Finally, opportunistic is more commonly used in business or political contexts, while cunning is more commonly used in personal or interpersonal contexts.
