BUSINESS Synonyms: 214 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

business

noun

ˈbiz-nəs

Definition of business next

as in patronage

transactions or economic support provided by customers only places that are equal opportunity employers will get my business

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in firm

a commercial or industrial activity or organization most of the local businesses belong to the association

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in matter

something to be dealt with we have one piece of business remaining for today's meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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as in area

a region of activity, knowledge, or influence if you want a medical malpractice lawyer, he's the best in the business

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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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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 Known for her sharp business acumen, Jenner built a reality TV empire with all of her children, which include Kourtney, Khloe and Rob Kardashian, and their younger sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner. —

Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2025 Cal Fire reported that more than 12,000 homes, businesses and schools have been lost to the fires and more than 100,000 people have had to leave their homes. —

Stepheny Price, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025 My meandering explanation was cut short by pressing business: the firefighters noticed a small plume of smoke rising from the grounds of the house next door. —

Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2025 In this case, the importing business would be any American company that purchases goods from foreign suppliers and brings them into the country for resale, manufacturing, or distribution. —

Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for business

Recent Examples of Synonyms for business

Noun

The project to build the hospice was one of the last patronages of the late Princess Diana, and it was completed a few years after her 1997 death.

— Simon Perry, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025
The Trump administration wants the firings challenged to get the Supreme Court to hold that the president can fire anyone within the executive branch, stripping civil servants of protections fundamentally designed to fight patronage and graft.

— Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2025