as in professional
having or showing qualities that are considered good in business
His businesslike approach to the dispute was very helpful. a businesslike manner
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Recent Examples of businesslike
Conversely, the Oilers had a businesslike finish to their campaign despite adverse circumstances, specifically the absences of Draisaitl and Hyman.
—
Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
The atmosphere was hushed and businesslike; this was a routine pretrial hearing, and only a few other spectators joined me in the gallery.
—Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
The relative wrote back and, in an almost businesslike tone, informed her that there was no space left at the Maine cemetery.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026
Eva is a complex character, flinty and businesslike, deadly serious about her mission and willing to make ethical compromises to move it forward.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for businesslike
Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
The atmosphere was hushed and businesslike; this was a routine pretrial hearing, and only a few other spectators joined me in the gallery.
—Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
The relative wrote back and, in an almost businesslike tone, informed her that there was no space left at the Maine cemetery.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026
Eva is a complex character, flinty and businesslike, deadly serious about her mission and willing to make ethical compromises to move it forward.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for businesslike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for businesslike
Adjective
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Former professional wrestler and actor Tyler Mane announced he has been diagnosed with breast cancer.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
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Those individuals who are experiencing lingering symptoms should see an eye care professional for help.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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Your creativity is flowing and needs a practical outlet during the Cancer moon.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
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This approach also created a practical niche beneath the staircase, providing a convenient place for books, phones, watches, and other personal items while adding a sense of home to the journey.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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But the short stay stretched into a month, and the once-polite guest turned rude, demanding and increasingly hostile, according to Vanity Fair.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
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There were the polite claps after good attacks by the Swiss, sarcastic whistles by the Qatari fans after their team again failed to mount a threat.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
Michael Olise — France/Bayern Munich Olise made the leap to serious Ballon d’Or contender last season, tearing apart Bundesliga defences and elite Champions League opponents from his starting position on the right flank.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
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If the cost of moving cargo to orbit falls by an order of magnitude, projects once confined to science fiction may begin to attract serious commercial investment.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Businesslike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/businesslike. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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