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

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 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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Mizrahi Jews often identify with the right and especially Likud, having faced discrimination by the European-descended elites that traditionally dominate Israeli government, military and business institutions. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 The lineup covers general liability, workers’ compensation, professional liability, commercial auto, a business owner’s policy, and umbrella coverage, with cyber available as an add-on. — Matthew Kayser, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Van Meter spent time in Kardashian’s homes, accompanied her to photo shoots, watched her conduct business and interviewed dozens of people from across her life. — Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 Small- to medium-sized domestic firms, particularly in the technology, pharmaceuticals, and construction sectors, offered stronger job growth and better employment conditions than larger businesses, ACET said. — Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for business

Recent Examples of Synonyms for business

Noun

Over dinner, table conversation continued about younger audiences, emerging patronage, and Selldorf’s fitting role—all parts of the Frick’s new history.

— Eliza Jordan, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
One was a patronage-heavy, pro-government machine; the other an adversarial independent sector.

— Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of patronage

Noun

Plenty of Istanbul firms run on contracts, and plenty of London ones run on handshakes.

— Ali Aydan, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
The married couple and co-executives sit atop CDR Companies — a network of affiliated firms that has grown into a juggernaut of government contracting with a national reach, from engineering to healthcare to emergency management.

— Kate Payne, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of firm

Noun

Beyond criminal matters, the office is involved in other efforts.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
But victory is far from assured, and the polling numbers – which can be inaccurate – matter less than Israel’s coalition arithmetic.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of matter

Noun

Behind the scenes, Chicago historian and media personality Studs Terkel played an integral role, acting as a guide for Mitchell.

— Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Unusual weather conditions played a role, officials said, with the number of extreme heat warning days tripling from five in 2025 to 15 so far this year.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of role

Noun

The election process was marred by allegations of voter suppression, with Lula's campaign reporting suspended public transportation in some key areas, prompting the court to extend voting by two hours.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Fixing the problem Flexible substrates have uneven surface roughness and varying hydroxyl-group densities, making standard large-area printing techniques ineffective.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of area

Noun

Our job, before and after AI, is building safe and useful products for human beings, and engineers are still best suited for that.

— Brian Jenney, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Oct. 2026
The Commission’s sovereignty framework considers the extent to which investment, jobs and value creation remain within the EU and European Economic Area.

— Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of job

Noun

The killings and his six-week trial in 2023 captivated the true crime world with a mix of treachery, corruption, money, power and Southern accents.

— Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
The killings of Murdaugh’s wife and son and his subsequent six-week trial captivated the true crime world with a mix of treachery, corruption, money, power and Southern accents.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of treachery

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business

businesses

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Style

“Business.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/business. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of business

noun

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