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.

Spaceflight has the opportunity to become routine and businesslike.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

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

In front of the world's cameras, the two exchanged warm words, and a businesslike handshake, which set the tone for a generally respectful relationship.

From BBC • Aug. 14, 2025

Now he was being trotted off somewhere in a very businesslike way, and there was no question about the nature of the business.

From "Abel's Island" by William Steig

businesslike

Example Sentences

Related Words