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
This was designed to give something comfortable — the flexible FKM touches your skin— while maintaining a businesslike exterior.
—
David Phelan, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
To keep the look from feeling too businesslike, finish with a quirky shaggy coat and loafer shoes.
—Irina Grechko, InStyle, 17 Jan. 2026
Cignetti’s group has a businesslike demeanor that wasn’t remotely altered by Alabama’s reputation and history.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
As the subject of Materialists, Lucy’s coolness evolves from a businesslike need to maintain control over a situation.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for businesslike
David Phelan, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
To keep the look from feeling too businesslike, finish with a quirky shaggy coat and loafer shoes.
—Irina Grechko, InStyle, 17 Jan. 2026
Cignetti’s group has a businesslike demeanor that wasn’t remotely altered by Alabama’s reputation and history.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
As the subject of Materialists, Lucy’s coolness evolves from a businesslike need to maintain control over a situation.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for businesslike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for businesslike
Adjective
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But the move wasn’t without its challenges, including limited access to capital as immigrants and the need to build a professional track record in a system where credit history and residency length matter.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
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One is that the United States is blessed with the most professional and effective military in the world.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Your 2nd house also supports practical purchases, which is a great reminder to make durable, budget-respectful choices over flashy upgrades.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
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Gas prices are rising again, and many drivers are looking for practical ways to save money at the pump as costs climb.—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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With their masculine style, derbies bring a polite firmness to any ensemble.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
8 Mar. 2026
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As part of the move, Roblox will roll out real-time AI-powered chat rephrasing that automatically replaces swear words with more polite alternatives.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The most serious mid-air collision involving the plane happened in 1966, when a B-52 bomber carrying nuclear bombs struck a tanker near Palomares, Spain.—
Kim Tong-Hyung,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Minarik warned that, absent serious cost-cutting reforms, of which TrumpRx is but a small part, healthcare is only going to become more expensive.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Businesslike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/businesslike. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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