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
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
Bainbridge’s earlier novels often seem to have a similarly businesslike attitude.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Mike Macdonald is taking a businesslike approach to Seattle’s NFC championship game showdown Sunday with Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams.
—Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The actor walks a fine line between overenthusiastic and businesslike, which grounds both the character and the show around him.
—Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for businesslike
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Bainbridge’s earlier novels often seem to have a similarly businesslike attitude.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Mike Macdonald is taking a businesslike approach to Seattle’s NFC championship game showdown Sunday with Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams.
—Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The actor walks a fine line between overenthusiastic and businesslike, which grounds both the character and the show around him.
—Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for businesslike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for businesslike
Adjective
-
Not unlike its founder, Skims has forged high-profile relationships with celebrities and professional athletes.—
Lisa Gutierrez
May 2,
Kansas City Star,
2 May 2026
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This is about more than professional courtesy, although that could be reason enough for the exercise.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Moon steadies Jupiter’s influence, helping practical decisions create emotional ease.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
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In these systems, the active materials tend to degrade and leak through the membrane, a process that rapidly wears out the battery and limits its practical lifespan.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Soft spoken, very polite, a good fellow.—
Michael Biesecker,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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Stribing was equal parts humble, low key and polite — not at all in keeping with the image of a diva wide receiver.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Half a century later, the nation’s environmental problems are a lot less visible, but not, for that reason, any less serious.—
Elizabeth Kolbert,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Even in healthy children, measles can cause serious illness and death.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Businesslike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/businesslike. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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