hackwork
noun
hack·work
ˈhak-ˌwərk 
: literary, artistic, or professional work done on order usually according to formula and in conformity with commercial standards
Examples of hackwork in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If this hysterical hackwork has any soul at all, Crowe just about saves it.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Apr. 2023
The books sold well but were uneven in quality, tending at times toward hackwork.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2023
The race reckoning of 3KY’s unequal love story is nothing more than extravagant political hackwork.
—Armond White, National Review, 7 Sep. 2022
And so, at least for the moment, there has been some respite on the bestseller lists from the usual insider politics hackwork.
—Colin Dickey, The New Republic, 7 Aug. 2020
Alan Smithee credits look like hackwork in comparison.
—Graeme McMillan, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2019
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Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Apr. 2023
The books sold well but were uneven in quality, tending at times toward hackwork.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2023
The race reckoning of 3KY’s unequal love story is nothing more than extravagant political hackwork.
—Armond White, National Review, 7 Sep. 2022
And so, at least for the moment, there has been some respite on the bestseller lists from the usual insider politics hackwork.
—Colin Dickey, The New Republic, 7 Aug. 2020
Alan Smithee credits look like hackwork in comparison.
—Graeme McMillan, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Hackwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hackwork. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hackwork
noun
hack·work
ˈhak-ˌwərk
: literary, artistic, or professional work done on order usually according to a set standard
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