Definition of bush-leaguenext
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard that's just a bush-league ploy to get cast on a TV reality show

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 bush-league While Chad is giving bush-league Sandler, the supporting characters are ripped from the playbook of Ted Lasso—another sports comedy based on a viral bit, not to mention a massively popular show whose title surely figured in the development of Chad Powers. Judy Berman, Time, 26 Sep. 2025 A lot of times, these bush-league but prolific lawbreakers basically got a warning, then another warning, then maybe a couple of months in county. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2024 The script constitutes a string of bush-league errors we’re not supposed to care about, starting with the audience getting way, way out ahead of the characters regarding who’s hiding what. Michael Phillips, Twin Cities, 7 June 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bush-league
Adjective
  • Even in the absence of any proven crime committed by Tisch, even in the naivest retelling or understanding of Tisch’s correspondences with Epstein, his unacceptable relationship with this man deserves censure.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Artemis has been trudging along at a once-every-three-years flight rate, which Isaacman deems unacceptable.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But large-scale remedies, such as finding alternative sources of revenue like a general tax increase to offset property tax cuts, are less likely when lawmakers and Pritzker are seeking reelection — though political pressures are lessened after the November general election in a lame-duck session.
    Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
  • This struck me as heartbreakingly lame and, therefore, as a moment of vital consequence.
    Amanda Peet, New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • If that doesn't open your eyes in law enforcement, something's wrong with you.
    Lauren Clark, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Both assumptions are increasingly wrong.
    Brian Barlow, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Serious Medical and Emotional Neglect Turner said Kaiko arrived in poor health, suffering from multiple medical issues and signs of prolonged neglect.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The city of Plano scores restaurants on a 100-point system, with 100 considered a perfect score and 70 extremely poor.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Bernadine appeared to be useless—or, worse, a potential double agent.
    David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • This is very bad for our health.
    Peter D'Oench, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The politicians who shut down the government are pathetic on both sides of the aisle.
    Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
  • His Floyd constantly straddles the line between sweet and pathetic, often falling off one side or the other.
    Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Most were sterilized because they were believed to be mentally ill or mentally deficient.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
  • In fact, 18% of postmenopausal women are deficient in vitamin B12, a 2025 study published in the Indian Menopause Society’s Journal of Mid-Life Health found.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • This is a terrible blow against reform and the Dems should be ashamed.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Here are five novels that have been tied to terrible crimes.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bush-league.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bush-league. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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