hackwork

American  

[hak-wurk] / ˈhækˌwɜrk /

noun

1. writing, painting, or any professional work done for hire and usually following a formula rather than being motivated by any creative impulse.

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hackwork British  

/ ˈhækˌwɜːk /

noun

1. undistinguished literary work produced to order

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Etymology

Origin of hackwork

First recorded in 1850–55; hack ² + work

Example Sentences

Onah, rebounding nicely from the B-movie hackwork of last year’s “The Cloverfield Paradox,” neither embraces nor disguises the material’s stage foundations.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 31, 2019

This is largely how today’s culture has chosen to remember Welles: as a pompous wreck, a man who peaked early and then devolved into hackwork and bloated fiascos.

From The New Yorker • Dec. 7, 2015

The Pat Hobby stories lack Fitzgerald’s characteristic lyricism, and perhaps for that might be read as mercenary or hackwork; but what they lack in beauty, they make up for in wit and pathos.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2013

It’s uninspired hackwork, and the frequent appearance of blue lens flares does not make this movie any more of a personal statement.

From New York Times • May 15, 2013

His blood proved traitor to his will, and the plan of life and literary hackwork in London broke down at once on trial, or even before trial.

From Life of John Keats His Life and Poetry, his Friends, Critics and After-fame by Colvin, Sidney