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
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
And how would the famously gruff and businesslike Belichick work with nineteen-year-olds?
—Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for businesslike
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
And how would the famously gruff and businesslike Belichick work with nineteen-year-olds?
—Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for businesslike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for businesslike
Adjective
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In 2017, the 48-year-old former boxing champion retired from professional prize fighting undefeated at 50-0.—
Matt Schubert,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2026
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While washing separate loads of darks, lights, kitchen, and bath towels is the professional launderer’s goal, in reality, running that many separate loads isn’t always practical or easy to pack into an already busy schedule.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The specifications Issac 0 is a compact, stationary home robot designed for practical integration into the home.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
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Finally, a justice has to bring practical judgment to balancing competing interests when the legal text does not settle an issue, or the court acts as the leader for the entire state judiciary.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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One year after Vice President JD Vance excoriated European leaders and accused them of sidelining far-right parties, Rubio’s politer tone came as a relief to many in the audience.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
15 Feb. 2026
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Is there any polite response to a comment such as this one?—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Fajardo-Acosta described him as an extremely serious person who also possessed a good sense of humor, spoke very eloquently and read all the time.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Lawmaker Jorge Arreaza, who presented the bill, highlighted these carve-outs to ensure the measure does not shield serious offenses.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Businesslike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/businesslike. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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