business

1
as in patronage
transactions or economic support provided by customers only places that are equal opportunity employers will get my business

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
4
as in commerce
the buying and selling of goods especially on a large scale and between different places this bookstore is a place of business, not a free library, so please do your reading elsewhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
as in purpose
the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists plants going about the business of photosynthesis provide the Earth with a renewable source of oxygen

Synonyms & Similar Words

6
7
8

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun business differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of business are calling, employment, métier, occupation, pursuit, and work. While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

the business of managing a hotel

When is it sensible to use calling instead of business?

In some situations, the words calling and business are roughly equivalent. However, calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

When would employment be a good substitute for business?

The words employment and business can be used in similar contexts, but employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.

your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

In what contexts can métier take the place of business?

Although the words métier and business have much in common, métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

When might occupation be a better fit than business?

The words occupation and business are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

When can pursuit be used instead of business?

While the synonyms pursuit and business are close in meaning, pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

Where would work be a reasonable alternative to business?

The meanings of work and business largely overlap; however, work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not.

her work as a hospital volunteer

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 business Led by some of the region's top business, philanthropic and government leaders, the organization is responsible for redeveloping the city's waterfront and adjacent areas with charitable and public contributions. Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 12 Aug. 2025 Over the course of the past few months, Trump’s negotiators have secured several concessions from China, including purchases of US soybeans and a halt to antitrust investigations into some large American companies that threatened their ability to do business there. David Goldman, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025 Tang has spent the past five years at Severance studio Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor), leading a global team that acquired and financed scripted and unscripted projects for the TV distribution business. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2025 This includes expenses such as charitable donations, education expenses, business expenses, and home office deductions. Cindy McGhee, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for business
Recent Examples of Synonyms for business
Noun
  • As did misgivings about the NC500 brand passing from royal patronage to private ownership: Since 2018, North Coast 500 Ltd has been under the control of Anders Holch Povlsen, a Danish billionaire and Scotland’s biggest landowner.
    Angus MacKinnon, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2025
  • After the allegations, Andrew resigned from his public roles with the royal family in May 2020, and had his honorary military affiliations and royal charitable patronages removed by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in January 2022.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • And even at the bigger firms top decision makers often aren’t literate in the language of climate risk.
    Justin Worland, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Private equity firms charge really high fees: typically 2% as a management fee and 20% of the profit.
    Laurel Wamsley, NPR, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The report offers no solutions or consolations on the matter.
    Zoe Pearl, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2025
  • The market did not have a comment on the matter and directed the Journal Sentinel to contact the Milwaukee Police Department for more information.
    Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • That’s why the first phase of the AI commerce wars has been defined less by mass adoption — and more by defensive moves to block competitors from building better agents.
    Jason Goldberg, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
  • Under that same law, the commerce secretary can conduct a mid-decade census, in 2025, but the results can't be used for redistributing each state's share of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and votes in the Electoral College.
    Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Now, these speedy gadgets have found a new purpose as a fun beach accessory for scuba diving and snorkeling trips.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid Joan Goodwin, a physics professor with a lifelong love of the stars, seizes the chance to join NASA’s first class of women astronauts and soon finds friendship, passion, and purpose among her fellow trainees.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The decision upholds a July 11 ruling granting a restraining order sought by immigrant rights advocates to limit federal immigration enforcement in Los Angeles and other areas of Southern California.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control. Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Director Delicia Turner Sonnenberg does a terrific job balancing the different tones, style and pacing of the play’s two halves.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
  • His trainer, Abel Sanchez and cut men did a great job neutralizing it.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Thus far, this prosecution, and a corresponding case against the gang in Sacramento, have been rife with evidence of treachery and violence inside and outside of prison.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 31 July 2025
  • The six-parter, to debut July 14, follows six groups of friends, and six historical cases of murder and treachery among them.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Business.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/business. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on business

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!