amateurishness

noun

as in amateurism
a lack of the level of skill associated with an expert or professional I was surprised at the amateurishness of the dance presentation, considering it was put on by supposed professionals

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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 amateurishness Their design was unpolished, even primitive, seemingly to convey a sense of slapdash amateurishness. — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amateurishness
  1. amateurism
  2. inability
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
  • The inability of the United States to protect its Gulf allies from Iranian attacks or to keep the Strait of Hormuz open has fatally undermined the core security bargain that justified its network of military bases in the region.
    — MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Feelings of anxiety often point to uncertainty rather than inability.
    — Naira Velumyan, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of inability

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amateurishly
amateurishness
amateurism
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Cite this Entry

“Amateurishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amateurishness. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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