Definition of chameleonnext
as in opportunist
a person who dexterously and expediently changes or adopts opinions at the summer resort he acquired a reputation as a social chameleon—someone who could be whatever his hosts wanted him to be

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chameleon Chapter 2 portrayed Alejandro’s transition into life as a famous Latin music star navigating the pressures, routines and chameleon-like shifts of a successful career. — Cata Balzano, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026 Beyoncé is embracing the changing seasons with a nostalgic hair chameleon moment. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 7 Sep. 2026 Autumn moor grass has chameleon personalities, emerging early and offering evolving colors and textures as the seasons pass. — Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 21 Aug. 2026 The relaxed fit gives it a cool, chameleon-like quality that works for everything from city strolls to upscale dinners. — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chameleon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chameleon
Noun
  • Some amalgam of fan input, ticket sales, ratings, and media outrage determines what’s right and wrong, and this collective taste shifts more slowly than the behavior of front-office opportunists.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Musk, as the documentary makes clear, is a genuine if flawed technocratic visionary, a messianic opportunist, and something of a crackpot.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • When the Museum of Old Newbury purchased the weathercock from the First Religious Society of Newburyport in 2018, the presumption was the vane was made by either Shem Drowne or his son Thomas.
    — Maysoon Khan, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2019
Noun
  • Sometimes, these genetic acrobats would jump into the middle of a purple pigment gene and interfere with its function, producing a speckled cell.
    — Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
  • In that game, players kick a ball over a net and show off their skills as acrobats.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Chameleon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chameleon. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on chameleon

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster