enterprising

adjective

en·​ter·​pris·​ing ˈen-tər-ˌprī-ziŋ How to pronounce enterprising (audio)
ˈen-tə-ˌprī-
Synonyms of enterprisingnext
: marked by an independent energetic spirit and by readiness to act
an enterprising young reporter

Synonyms of enterprising

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Examples of enterprising in a Sentence

As an enterprising young reporter, she covered many important stories. the company is claiming that there will be huge financial rewards for enterprising sales representatives
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
All Stanford students are ambitious, but many of the most enterprising among them drop out. — Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026 Their younger son’s back issues are indeed the least of the family’s problems, especially when a deal made with a more enterprising neighboring farmer winds up going bust. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026 Extending the life of the mission for that long could bring Voyager 1 to its 50-year anniversary, a deadline that’s setting the stage for one of the team’s most enterprising steps yet. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 27 Apr. 2026 During the night, an enterprising photographer with a telephoto lens sneaked upstairs in a building opposite Children’s and found a window in line with Patrick’s room. — Steven Levingston, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enterprising

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of enterprising was in 1601

Rhymes for enterprising

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Browse Nearby Words

enterprise zone
enterprising
enter someone's mind/head
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Cite this Entry

“Enterprising.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enterprising. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

enterprising

adjective
en·​ter·​pris·​ing ˈent-ə(r)-ˌprī-ziŋ How to pronounce enterprising (audio)
: bold, active, and energetic in undertaking or experimenting

More from Merriam-Webster on enterprising

Nglish: Translation of enterprising for Spanish Speakers

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