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Dictionary.com
Definitions

give the business

VERB
badger
Synonyms
STRONGEST
annoy bully goad harass heckle hound pester tease torment
STRONG
bait bug eat harry hassle importune needle nudge plague ride
WEAK
insist on work on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid delight help leave alone make happy please support
STRONG
assist
VERB
pique
Synonyms
STRONGEST
annoy arouse displease excite gall galvanize ignite incense irk irritate kindle offend rile stimulate whet
STRONG
absorb affront bother bug exasperate get goad goose grab miff mortify motivate move nettle peeve prick quicken rouse spur sting stir vex wound
WEAK
egg on fire up get a rise out of get under skin give a hard time make waves put out work up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid calm compose delight extinguish lull make happy please quiet soothe
STRONG
appease compliment dissuade help misunderstand mollify placate satisfy

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.

And it would give the business more of a hedge for economic downturns.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

The USO is currently under review, with Royal Mail suggesting to regulator Ofcom that reducing second-class deliveries to every other weekday would save up to £300m a year and give the business "a fighting chance".

From BBC • Dec. 15, 2024

“Any time you blur the lines on what is already a tricky process to navigate, it’s going to give the business community some degree of heartburn.”

From Seattle Times • Apr. 3, 2018

Some Bedminster residents are hoping that the presidential visits will give the business community a boost.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2017

Now I hoped that they would give the business up.

From She and Allan by Haggard, Henry Rider