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Definitions

businesslike

[biz-nis-lahyk] / ˈbɪz nɪsˌlaɪk /
ADJECTIVE
efficient, professional
Synonyms
STRONGEST
diligent disciplined earnest expeditious matter-of-fact methodical orderly practical purposeful serious thorough
WEAK
accomplished careful concentrated correct direct effective enterprising hardworking industrious intent organized painstaking practiced regular routine sedulous skillful systematic well-ordered workaday
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disorganized flippant thoughtless trivial unimportant unserious
WEAK
amateur inefficient unbusinesslike unprofessional

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While conceding talks were challenging, Kremlin negotiator Vladimir Medinsky added that they had been "businesslike" and said another meeting would take place "soon".

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

But Dmitriev felt his businesslike rapport was breaking through.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 29, 2025

The senior Ukrainian source told AFP that the tone of rhetoric between the White House and Kyiv was now "very businesslike."

From Barron's • Oct. 16, 2025

The early portion of practice open to reporters Monday evening reflected a subdued, businesslike vibe in which the most pep came over loudspeakers with the playing of Elvis’ “Viva Las Vegas.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 2, 2025

Propped on the table I found a long, businesslike letter from the summer school and a thin blue letter on leftover Yale stationery, addressed to me in Buddy Willard's lucid hand.

From "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath