dilettantism

noun

Definition of dilettantismnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilettantism
  1. amateurism
  2. amateurishness
  3. inability
  4. incompetence
Noun
  • But Wright’s case is also illustrating why the NCAA’s argument about amateurism is becoming harder to square with the economics of the modern college engine.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • What were once basic tenets — amateurism, transfers, years of eligibility — have been upended.
    — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of amateurism
Noun
  • Their design was unpolished, even primitive, seemingly to convey a sense of slapdash amateurishness.
    — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of amateurishness
Noun
  • The inability to do so has cost Engelbert during her latter years.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Venezuela’s problem has not been a shortage of economists capable of designing sophisticated monetary and fiscal regimes, but its inability to follow strict rules in good times and bad.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of inability
Noun
  • Still, the movie does at times rely on convenient incompetence.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The Reds demonstrate their incompetence once again by allowing Reacher and Green to disarm them and start swinging.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 2 Sep. 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
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Cite this Entry

“Dilettantism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilettantism. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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