as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard that's just a bush-league ploy to get cast on a TV reality show

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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 bush-league A lot of times, these bush-league but prolific lawbreakers basically got a warning, then another warning, then maybe a couple of months in county. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2024 A lot of times, these bush-league but prolific lawbreakers basically got a warning, then another warning, then maybe a couple of months in county. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2024 The script constitutes a string of bush-league errors we’re not supposed to care about, starting with the audience getting way, way out ahead of the characters regarding who’s hiding what. Michael Phillips, Twin Cities, 7 June 2024 What happened in the California state Assembly truly was a bush-league error. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bush-league
Adjective
  • In April 2021, the European Commission proposed a draft of the Artificial Intelligence Act, aimed at introducing a system of AI classification based on risks to users (minimal, limited, high, unacceptable).
    Olena Orliuk, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • Adams said that such outside interference on a group of experts who are supposed to be able to review science free from political influence sets an unacceptable standard.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.
    Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
  • My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.
    Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
  • Using the wrong cleaners, such as ammonia and glass cleaner, can cause permanent streaks and damage.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 23 June 2025
  • Effective leaders recognize that different doesn’t mean wrong.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Despite having a poor 2024 season that saw the Pirates remove Bednar from the closer role, the right-hander is back to his dominant form.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
  • The key drivers are BGE’s soaring spending and profits and poor management by PJM Interconnection, the private entity that operates our electric grid.
    Emily Scarr, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • After several months of strong economic news but incredibly weak consumer sentiment, America is starting to see those trends reverse: The vibes are on the rebound, but evidence is mounting that the economy is getting worse.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 28 June 2025
  • Overall, the recent western drought was at its worst in late 2021, when nearly 94% of the West was in drought, before easing in 2023-24.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • So why did a chess engine that came under the pathetic category and only looks one move ahead not just defeat but humiliate ChatGPT?
    David Szondy June 15, New Atlas, 15 June 2025
  • Not because ownership has had a change of heart, but rather as a way to address their pathetic offense.
    Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • If a person is not deficient in iron, too much iron can cause significant problems.5 3.
    Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 23 June 2025
  • Noted: Nearly 1 in 4 Americans is deficient in Vitamin D.
    Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • Skipping this governance checkpoint essentially means letting people create powerful and untested tools for decision making, which could be disastrous to an organization’s future success.
    Larry English, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Trading away Jokic would be disastrous, and the thought of it is just as bad.
    Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bush-league.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bush-league. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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