as in amateurishness
a lack of the level of skill associated with an expert or professional
the new defense secretary proceeded to criticize the amateurism of the nation's war effort up to that point
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of amateurism
Inside athletic departments across the country, executives are coping with financial impacts driven by the death of amateurism in high-level college sports.
—
David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
This was the hallmark of amateurism, the idea that college athletes are different from pro athletes.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Arguments can be made that NIL has put the final nail in the coffin to eliminate amateurism in college sports, but truthfully, amateurism in college sports died some time ago as the NCAA, institutions and media profited off the athletes.
—Eddie Edwards Jr, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2026
Jersey sales was probably one of the most egregious hypocrisies of the NCAA’s amateurism rule for student athletes, which stipulated that players were never to benefit financially from their name, image and likeness — even if others did.
—Andrea Williams, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
After years of defending/defining the concept of amateurism, a Supreme Court decision forced the NCAA to revoke its restrictions on athlete compensation.
—Nick Lomaglio, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
This was the hallmark of amateurism, the idea that college athletes are different from pro athletes.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Arguments can be made that NIL has put the final nail in the coffin to eliminate amateurism in college sports, but truthfully, amateurism in college sports died some time ago as the NCAA, institutions and media profited off the athletes.
—Eddie Edwards Jr, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2026
Jersey sales was probably one of the most egregious hypocrisies of the NCAA’s amateurism rule for student athletes, which stipulated that players were never to benefit financially from their name, image and likeness — even if others did.
—Andrea Williams, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
After years of defending/defining the concept of amateurism, a Supreme Court decision forced the NCAA to revoke its restrictions on athlete compensation.
—Nick Lomaglio, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amateurism
inability
Noun
-
For me, her inability to have an orgasm has very little to do with her relationship with John.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Emissions from the turbines led to community uproar, with residents complaining of a stench, health problems and an inability to keep their windows open at home.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Amateurism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amateurism. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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