salesmanship

noun

sales·​man·​ship ˈsālz-mən-ˌship How to pronounce salesmanship (audio)
1
: the skill or art of selling
2
: ability or effectiveness in selling or in presenting persuasively
political salesmanship

Examples of salesmanship in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Keeping the party raging will require some salesmanship. Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025 These big-ticket ideas rise and fall on salesmanship. Philip Elliott, Time, 2 June 2025 So communication, a little bit of salesmanship, patience — being able to navigate human relationships is way more important for a manager today than decades ago. Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 16 May 2025 This shift demands a balance between storytelling and salesmanship. Denis Sinelnikov, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for salesmanship

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of salesmanship was in 1880

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Cite this Entry

“Salesmanship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salesmanship. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

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