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

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5
as in role
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

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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 Soderlund, 31, has continued to encourage her girls as their biggest fan and as their very own in-house dressmaker, having launched her Dollhouse Designs bespoke gown business. — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 There were no signs of rodents at any businesses during this inspection period, but dead roaches were found at Conservatory at Plano, at 6401 Ohio Drive. — Mary Ella Hastings july 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2026 Flames raced through rows of vehicles at a Rancho Cordova salvage yard Friday evening, engulfing between 50 and 100 vehicles before more than 70 firefighters contained the blaze and kept it from spreading to neighboring businesses. — Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026 After leaving prison in 2009, Kidan began working at a staffing agency, went on to found a staffing business, Chartwell Staffing Solutions, and now serves as president of Empire Workforce Solutions, the White House said. — Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for business
Recent Examples of Synonyms for business
  1. patronage
  2. firm
  3. matter
  4. commerce
  5. role
  6. area
  7. job
  8. treachery
Noun
  • Harry is also set to undertake visits to patronages like WellChild and Scotty’s Little Soldiers.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 1 July 2026
  • Harry also gave up his patronage of the Rugby Football Union and the Rugby Football League, while Meghan surrendered her patronage of the Royal National Theatre, which her grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, handed down to her.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 27 June 2026
Definition of patronage
Noun
  • Lockheed Martin is one of the world’s largest defense firms, producing planes such as the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet and munitions like the Patriot air defense missile.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • The firm intends to sell specialized engineering services that utilize digital process models.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
Definition of firm
Noun
  • For Isaienko, that is precisely why festivals like Stoned Climbers matter.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
  • So the Heat are confident and Giannis is confident, which is what matters.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
Definition of matter
Noun
  • And so the Mississippi River has been this flow of commerce both up and down the river for a long time, but I was really saddened to hear how much of that commerce was people.
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Amazon is also setting up 100 urban fulfilment centers that will stock apparel, electronics, jewelry, shoes, luggage, watches, wireless accessories, musical instruments and furniture for quick commerce orders.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Definition of commerce
Noun
  • In her role as assistant county administrator, Cobbins coordinated alongside the local fire and police departments, municipal court system, city public works and more.
    — Sofi Zeman July 2, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • Boston first baseman Willson Contreras and Washington starter Cade Cavalli each received seven-game suspensions and undisclosed fines for their roles in the fourth-inning altercation.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of role
Noun
  • The warning sign against Japan came when Casemiro picked up a yellow card in the 14th minute for a clumsy foul on the edge of the area.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • Wildlife officials caught and euthanized two alligators in the area, which measured 12 feet and 13 feet.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of area
Noun
  • Lee Feldman held the job for seven years until he was fired in 2018 by the commission.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • Proponents of the authorization note that the $155 million investment arrives four years after a severe drought in the Sacramento Valley in 2022 had cost local communities hundreds of millions of dollars and roughly 1,500 jobs.
    — Lyanne Wang, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Definition of job
Noun
  • Guides spoke of the monthlong siege that ended only because of the treachery of a local noble who turned on the sultan and allowed British troops to scale the walls.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 2 July 2026
  • This is not treachery but the truest and noblest affection.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of treachery

Phrases Containing business

Browse Nearby Words

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 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on business

Nglish: Translation of business for Spanish Speakers

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