employment

noun

im-ˈplȯi-mənt How to pronounce employment (audio)
Definition of employmentnext
1
as in use
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose the employment of the kitchen oven as a storage cupboard had predictably disastrous results

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in profession
the activity by which one regularly makes a living his regular employment is that of a restaurant waiter, but he always identifies himself as an actor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in employ
the state of being provided with a paying job the parents tried to convey to their adult son the joys of steady employment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun employment differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of employment are business, calling, métier, occupation, pursuit, and work. While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.

your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

When is business a more appropriate choice than employment?

While in some cases nearly identical to employment, business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

the business of managing a hotel

When would calling be a good substitute for employment?

In some situations, the words calling and employment are roughly equivalent. However, calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

When can métier be used instead of employment?

The meanings of métier and employment largely overlap; however, métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

In what contexts can occupation take the place of employment?

While the synonyms occupation and employment are close in meaning, occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

When is it sensible to use pursuit instead of employment?

The words pursuit and employment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

When might work be a better fit than employment?

Although the words work and employment have much in common, 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 employment The rate of layoffs as a percentage of total employment, however, remains below pre-pandemic averages. —Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 3 June 2025 But several forces create headwinds for a broad resurgence of manufacturing employment, especially one centered in Rust Belt states from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania: The tariffs themselves don’t create jobs instantly. —Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 3 June 2025 Only the private sector can deliver employment at the scale required. —Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025 Loss of scientific workforce For many researchers in trans health, the losses from these cuts go beyond employment. —Paz Galupo, The Conversation, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for employment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for employment
  1. use
  2. profession
  3. employ
  4. application
  5. occupation
  6. tenure
  7. exercise
  8. vocation
Noun
  • Learn how to evaluate your existing garden, use or convert irrigation systems and basic design approaches.
    — Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
  • At the service desk, patrons will be required to watch videos about proper use and how to properly lock the bikes up.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
Definition of use
Noun
  • With the show, the verité filmmaker aims to uncover the human element of this high-gloss profession.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 4 June 2025
  • The profession requires nuanced assessment, relationship-building, and constant intervention adjustment that AI simply cannot replicate.
    — Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Definition of profession
Noun
  • Lowe’s employs about 300,000 people, mostly hourly.
    — Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 21 May 2025
  • Detailing his gofer duties today to the court, Kaplan is known to have left Combs’ employ after a year, in some part due to the violence he is said to have seen.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 May 2025
Definition of employ
Noun
  • Some customers will feel comfortable booking a trip using a mobile application.
    — Miguel McInnis, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • The Front Page Highlights Trump Pardoned Tax Cheat After Mother Attended $1 Million Dinner Paul Walczak’s pardon application cited his mother’s support for the president, including raising millions of dollars and a connection to a plot to publicize a Biden family diary.
    — Kenneth P. Vogel Aaron Boxerman Christina Jewett Lydia DePillis, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Definition of application
Noun
  • Such is the life of someone in his occupation, whose importance intensifies on days like Thursday.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • That resolution must address the root of the conflict: Israel's ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories captured in 1967.
    — Daoud Kuttab, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
Definition of occupation
Noun
  • Hayden has been surplus to requirements during most of Howe’s tenure.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • In addition to helping oversee the launch of the stadium project, Kelly has watched the $22 million football indoor practice facility and a $3 million football locker room renovation come to fruition during his tenure.
    — Tribune Wire Services, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2025
Definition of tenure
Noun
  • The aim was to explore what helps students step out of their comfort zones and what kind of personal insights result from that exercise.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Pierce & Ward Bar Stool $349 West Elm Pierce and Ward’s collaboration with West Elm is an exercise in thoughtful maximalism, and these matching bar stools add lots of personality to any cocktail hour arrangements.
    — Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2025
Definition of exercise
Noun
  • Gerry appreciated that his mission, his calling, his vocation was to meet the needs of all his constituents, not least those underserved.
    — Paul Laudicina, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • The purpose of higher education should be for students to continue to develop critical thinking skills, to grow, to question, to learn, to mature, and to hopefully develop knowledge that will serve those students in a vocation.
    — Rep. Steve Weir, Hartford Courant, 20 May 2025
Definition of vocation

Browse Nearby Words

employing
employment
employments
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Cite this Entry

“Employment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/employment. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on employment

Nglish: Translation of employment for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about employment

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