bush-league
1 of 2adjective
ˈbu̇sh-ˌlēg 
: being of an inferior class or group of its kind : marked by a lack of sophistication or professionalism
bush league
2 of 2noun
: minor league
bush leaguer noun
Synonyms
Adjective
- bad
- bastard
- bush
- crummy
- crumby
- deficient
- dissatisfactory
- ill
- inferior
- lame
- lousy
- off
- paltry
- poor
- punk
- sour
- suboptimal
- subpar
- substandard
- unacceptable
- unsatisfactory
- wack [slang]
- wanting
- wretched
- wrong
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 26 Dec. 2020 In contemporary universities, in the social sciences and humanities, calling oneself Dr. is thought bush league. Joseph Epstein, WSJ, 11 Dec. 2020 The chief antagonist to these concerned scientists is Edward Teller (Joel Basman), the most fervent advocate for the construction of a hydrogen bomb that would make the atomic blasts in Japan seem almost bush league. Stephen Farber, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2020 Highlighting only Kitchens’ blunders when calling identical plays and hiding his successes is deceitful and bush league. Ellis L. Williams, cleveland, 17 Oct. 2019 Not to be outdone, Richard Mille, grand master of alternative material innovation, is at the final stage of crafting a watch case from a material that relegates even unobtanium to the bush leagues by its sheer badassitude. Wei Koh, A-LIST, 3 Apr. 2018 The other maddening thing is that the Zinke scandal seems almost bush league in the swampy World Series of corruption that is Donald Trump’s Washington. Will Bunch, Philly.com, 5 Oct. 2017 See More
Noun
Sure, the Bucs are trying to get ready for the playoffs, but this was bush league. Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 26 Dec. 2020 In contemporary universities, in the social sciences and humanities, calling oneself Dr. is thought bush league. Joseph Epstein, WSJ, 11 Dec. 2020 The chief antagonist to these concerned scientists is Edward Teller (Joel Basman), the most fervent advocate for the construction of a hydrogen bomb that would make the atomic blasts in Japan seem almost bush league. Stephen Farber, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2020 Highlighting only Kitchens’ blunders when calling identical plays and hiding his successes is deceitful and bush league. Ellis L. Williams, cleveland, 17 Oct. 2019 Not to be outdone, Richard Mille, grand master of alternative material innovation, is at the final stage of crafting a watch case from a material that relegates even unobtanium to the bush leagues by its sheer badassitude. Wei Koh, A-LIST, 3 Apr. 2018 The other maddening thing is that the Zinke scandal seems almost bush league in the swampy World Series of corruption that is Donald Trump’s Washington. Will Bunch, Philly.com, 5 Oct. 2017 See More Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
1908, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1902, in the meaning defined above
bush-league
adjective
as in lame
falling short of a standard that's just a bush-league ploy to get cast on a TV reality show Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- lame
- unacceptable
- wrong
- poor
- bad
- pathetic
- deficient
- disastrous
- terrible
- crummy
- horrible
- awful
- flawed
- brutal
- subpar
- wretched
- bush
- bastard
- substandard
- inferior
- unsatisfactory
- dreadful
- sour
- lousy
- punk
- suboptimal
- paltry
- dissatisfactory
- below par
- off
- lacking
- from hunger
- crumby
- inadequate
- wack
- vile
- short
- rotten
- defective
- egregious
- gross
- deplorable
- ill
- useless
- damnable
- wanting
- worthless
- lesser
- atrocious
- miserable
- execrable
- abysmal
- unspeakable
- flagrant
- detestable
- mediocre
- under par
- stinky
- shoddy
- horrendous
- odious
- sleazy
- reprehensible
- abominable
- gnarly
- insufficient
- low-rent
- bum
- faulty
- common
- crappy
- coarse
- trashy
- villainous
- cheesy
- junky
- sucky
- shabby
- low-grade
- valueless
- second-rate
- phony
- scurrilous
- cut-rate
- meager
- skimpy
- miserly
- niggardly
- scanty
- sham
- rubbishy
- fake
- stingy
- bitchin'
- miscreant
- mean
- phoney
- skimp
- counterfeit
- spare
- meagre
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- standard
- respectable
- satisfactory
- acceptable
- adequate
- fine
- decent
- classic
- classical
- superior
- passable
- tolerable
- okay
- great
- superlative
- sensational
- noble
- splendid
- excellent
- divine
- prime
- perfect
- grand
- terrific
- stellar
- wonderful
- marvelous
- marvellous
- superb
- better
- slick
- special
- top
- exceptional
- heavenly
- borderline
- premium
- neat
- dandy
- fabulous
- nifty
- mean
- mediocre
- sterling
- banner
- fancy
- average
- par excellence
- exceptional
- supernal
- capital
- sufficient
- boss
- swell
- minimal
- unsurpassed
- choice
- crackerjack
- unexceptional
- first-class
- fair
- middling
- first-rate
- all right
- groovy
- worthy
- keen
- suitable
- top-notch
- bang-up
- OK
- useful
- high-test
- high-grade
- jim-dandy
- tip-top
- gratifying
- so-so
- A1
- satisfying
- run riot
- run roughshod
- run round with
- run sheep run
- run short
- run short of
- run someone ragged
- run the gamut
- run the numbers
- run the risk of
- run the table
- run the whole show
- run thin
- run through
- run through someone's mind
- run to
- run to seed
- run up
- run up against
- run upon
- run wild
- run with
- run-and-gun
- run-and-shoot
- run-away-robin