professionalism
noun
pro·fes·sion·al·ism
prə-ˈfesh-nə-ˌli-zəm 
-ˈfe-shə-nə-ˌli-
1
: the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person
2
: the following of a profession (such as athletics) for gain or livelihood
Examples of professionalism in a Sentence
For writers such as Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson, struggling in the transition from the age of patronage to that of Grub Street professionalism, Shakespeare offered not only a body of poetic invention but also an inspirational career trajectory.
—
Jonathan Bate, Harper's, April 2007
In Washington, careerism has so trumped professionalism among political journalists as to render Alterman's ethical concerns almost quaint.
—Gene Lyons, Harper's, October 2003
It is difficult not to contrast the professionalism of modestly paid firefighters and police doing their duty on September 11 with the secretive … behavior of six- and seven-figure accountants, lawyers, CEOs, bankers, and financial analysts who failed at their duty with Enron.
—Bruce Nussbaum, Business Week, 28 Jan. 2002
A high level of professionalism is expected when working with clients.
She is highly respected for her professionalism.
Jonathan Bate, Harper's, April 2007
In Washington, careerism has so trumped professionalism among political journalists as to render Alterman's ethical concerns almost quaint.
—Gene Lyons, Harper's, October 2003
It is difficult not to contrast the professionalism of modestly paid firefighters and police doing their duty on September 11 with the secretive … behavior of six- and seven-figure accountants, lawyers, CEOs, bankers, and financial analysts who failed at their duty with Enron.
—Bruce Nussbaum, Business Week, 28 Jan. 2002
A high level of professionalism is expected when working with clients.
She is highly respected for her professionalism.
Recent Examples on the Web
Expand All When Phillip Sylvester first met Doug Cox and Nicole Pearl, he was impressed by their charm, skill and professionalism.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2025
The training, expertise, and professionalism demonstrated by our FedEx pilots was exemplary.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2025
But these words—authenticity, trust, respect, professionalism—are easy to write.
—Anna Jankowska, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Judges have generally not shown an inclination to treat police lapses in candor and professionalism — or research showing racial bias in arrests and prosecutions — as grounds for invalidating criminal charges and convictions.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for professionalism
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Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2025
The training, expertise, and professionalism demonstrated by our FedEx pilots was exemplary.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2025
But these words—authenticity, trust, respect, professionalism—are easy to write.
—Anna Jankowska, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Judges have generally not shown an inclination to treat police lapses in candor and professionalism — or research showing racial bias in arrests and prosecutions — as grounds for invalidating criminal charges and convictions.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for professionalism
Cite this Entry
“Professionalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/professionalism. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
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