The term "the businesses" can be replaced with several synonyms, depending on the context in which it is used. One possible substitute is "enterprises," which highlights the idea of commercial activity and suggests a level of complexity or sophistication. Another option is "companies," which conveys a sense of organization and structure, as well as the involvement of multiple individuals or groups. "Corporations" is a more formal alternative that might be used in legal or financial contexts, while "firms" emphasizes a sense of purpose or specialization. Ultimately, the best choice of synonym for "the businesses" will depend on the nuances of the sentence or paragraph in which it appears.