businesslike

adjective

Definition of businesslikenext
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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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 businesslike Confirm details in writing early, keep communication brief and businesslike, and build in flexibility where possible. — Rebecca L. Palmer, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026 For his part, Bisignano, the Social Security commissioner, wants to be seen as a leader who’s making the agency more businesslike and efficient, according to interviews with agency staff and recordings of him speaking in private executive meetings. — Eli Hager, ProPublica, 28 Apr. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for businesslike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for businesslike
  1. professional
  2. practical
  3. polite
  4. serious
Adjective
  • McKenzie, a former banker in commercial real estate financing, founded the business in 2009, with a focus on lending money to professional athletes against the value of their contracts.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Golden State’s defense made things very hard for Atlanta again, and Gabby Williams took over in the second half, leaving our fair city’s professional championship count at three (two Braves, one United).
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of professional
Adjective
  • Maxwell also highlighted that the aircraft is being designed around the practical requirements of cargo and logistics operators.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • In the 1940s haute couture status brought practical advantages, but as postwar shortages eased in the early 1950s, those benefits diminished.
    — Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of practical
Adjective
  • As always, the Vivint technician was prompt and polite and needed just under one hour to install the camera, attach the Spotlight Pro fixture, and pair the camera to my Vivint hub.
    — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
  • That message came from school after school site, where polls were open and politicians and volunteers shared greetings, and while the federal election monitors were said to be calm and polite, their presence was called troubling.
    — Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of polite
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, any challenge to investors’ confidence in Huang’s leadership, or any allegation that his personal relationship influenced Nvidia’s lobbying in Washington, could have serious implications for his position and his company’s valuation.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Thirteen people were hospitalized in serious condition, authorities said, though that figure may include the gunman, who underwent surgery after the attack.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of serious

Browse Nearby Words

businesses
businesslike
businessman
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Cite this Entry

“Businesslike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/businesslike. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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