business

noun

ˈbiz-nəs How to pronounce business (audio)
Definition of businessnext
1
as in patronage
transactions or economic support provided by customers only places that are equal opportunity employers will get my business

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in firm
a commercial or industrial activity or organization most of the local businesses belong to the association

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in matter
something to be dealt with we have one piece of business remaining for today's meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in commerce
the buying and selling of goods especially on a large scale and between different places this bookstore is a place of business, not a free library, so please do your reading elsewhere

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in purpose
the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists plants going about the business of photosynthesis provide the Earth with a renewable source of oxygen

Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in area
a region of activity, knowledge, or influence if you want a medical malpractice lawyer, he's the best in the business

Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in job
a specific task with which a person or group is charged the interrogators demanded to know what business the suspect had in the restricted area at that time of night

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8
as in treachery
the act or fact of violating the trust or confidence of another the price for giving the drug lord the business was certain death

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun business differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of business are calling, employment, métier, occupation, pursuit, and work. While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

the business of managing a hotel

When is it sensible to use calling instead of business?

In some situations, the words calling and business are roughly equivalent. However, calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

When would employment be a good substitute for business?

The words employment and business can be used in similar contexts, but employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.

your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

In what contexts can métier take the place of business?

Although the words métier and business have much in common, métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

When might occupation be a better fit than business?

The words occupation and business are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

When can pursuit be used instead of business?

While the synonyms pursuit and business are close in meaning, pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

Where would work be a reasonable alternative to business?

The meanings of work and business largely overlap; however, work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not.

her work as a hospital volunteer

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of business Versace, long operated as a family-run business, shares similarities with the Prada Group, where Miuccia Prada remains actively involved in leading both Prada and Miu Miu. —Mecca Pryor, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025 Given that 35% of Stellantis vehicles sold in the U.S. are imported, Hummel said Stellantis has a high chance of seeing earnings losses in its North America business. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2025 Brandon Silverstein Climbs to Music Industry Summit For Silverstein, the appointment caps a meteoric rise in the music business. —Ethan Stone, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025 Each business along the route will also have one golden egg, which will qualify teams for top-tier prizes. —Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for business
Recent Examples of Synonyms for business
  1. patronage
  2. firm
  3. matter
  4. commerce
  5. purpose
  6. area
  7. job
  8. treachery
Noun
  • Dozens of restaurants and bars are offering discounts and happy hour deals to encourage further patronage, including $10 cocktails and bites at Formosa Cafe and $8 cocktails at Connie & Ted’s.
    — Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
  • He was later stripped of his military titles and his royal patronages.
    — Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of patronage
Noun
  • The firm’s team includes analysts from leading tech private equity firms, engineers, operating partners – former technology CEOs and COOs.
    — Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Tech company executives, including Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerburg of Meta and Google CEO Sundar Pichai have been criticized for their firms' donations to Trumps inauguration fund and for taking meetings with Trump and his allies.
    — Alana Wise, NPR, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of firm
Noun
  • Not to reopen wounds, but to remind Cambodians why justice, democracy and dignity matter.
    — Sophal Ear, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The attorney, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said the firms provided no reason for their decision.
    — Ryan Lucas, NPR, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of matter
Noun
  • Ryan Reynolds, who moonlights as co-owner of Welsh soccer club Wrexham A.F.C., turned up alongside super-creator Taylor Sheridan (whose own athletics usually involve cattle), NBA investor Mark Cuban and former Obama commerce secretary Penny Prtizker.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • In this photo illustration a American electronic commerce and cloud computing company Amazon logo is seen on an Android mobile device with People’s Republic of China flag in the background.
    — Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of commerce
Noun
  • The name’s ironic on purpose—the app allows users to create, send, and receive anonymous voice messages in a celebrity’s tone.
    — Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice.
    — Dr. Ronald Premuroso, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • The incident was reported Monday at 7:11 p.m., and the last update regarding this incident was released on Monday at 7:17 p.m. Past Incidents in the last 12 hours: There were no traffic incidents reported in this area for the past 12 hours.
    — Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2025
  • During the program’s first 15 years, its officers were involved in a wide swath of epidemiological investigations in areas including lead paint exposure, a cancer cluster’s connection to birth defects, family planning practices and famine relief.
    — Casey Luc, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of area
Noun
  • Sure enough, in early 2024, PJ took a job as an avionics technician at Tinker.
    — Jenni Carlson, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Reviewers say the hypoallergenic comforter feels soft and smooth against the skin, does an excellent job regulating temperatures throughout the night, and is machine-washable.
    — Jamie Ballard, Allure, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of job
Noun
  • Because of that treachery Castor was a pure mortal, but Pollux was a half god.
    — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025
  • After weeks of treachery and deception, the final roundtable has been viewed, and the winner or winners for The Traitors Season 3 have been revealed.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of treachery

Phrases Containing business

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busily
business
businesses
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Cite this Entry

“Business.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/business. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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