DILETTANTISM Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

dilettantism

noun

Definition of dilettantism

as in amateurism

a lack of the level of skill associated with an expert or professional no charge of dilettantism could ever be leveled at English physicist Henry Cavendish, whose immense wealth allowed him to devote his life to scientific pursuits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilettantism

Noun

There was also a path through college hockey, which was typically forged by a stop in the United States Hockey League (USHL), which met NCAA amateurism rules.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Last summer’s House settlement, which permits schools to directly pay their athletes roughly $20 million this year across all sports, drove a final stake through the college amateurism model.

— Justin Williams, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026

Definition of amateurism

Noun

Since the start of last offseason, the Atlanta Braves have been haunted by their inability to land a high-quality starting pitcher.

— Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
The inability to imagine a middle-class life—especially for the Subaru Socialists right on the cusp of comfort—seems to be what’s behind a slate of recent electoral victories for the Democratic Socialists of America.

— Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of inability

Noun

Leaders often face dangerous blind spots, not from incompetence, but from strengths like confidence and decisiveness becoming liabilities.

— Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Trump’s incompetence throughout this vendetta against Comey is perhaps its most welcome aspect.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Definition of incompetence

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.

Browse Nearby Words

dilettantish

dilettantism

diligence

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dilettantism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilettantism. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of dilettantism

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nurture

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes