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 Rashford’s £325,000 weekly wage after bonuses, plus employment costs, translates to an annual bill of £19.4m for United. —David Ornstein, New York Times, 22 July 2025 Yet these employment cuts can have devastating consequences on workers and cause lingering damage to the labor market at large. —Omeed Maghzian, Harvard Business Review, 21 July 2025 While Carnival sees the development of Celebration Key as an integral part of its business development, part of the company’s mission is also to help Bahamians through employment opportunities and economic impact. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 July 2025 Consumer spending has been picking up in the kingdom, driven by higher employment and social reforms. —Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 21 July 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
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 20 July 2025
  • That bed, paired with her Disney Princess TV, gets the most use.
    — Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 19 July 2025
Definition of use
Noun
  • Her patronage will help elevate the profession and support our mission to champion teachers.
    — Meredith Kile, People.com, 22 July 2025
  • The shortage of nurses is straining our hospitals and increasing health-care costs—and yet there are also big barriers in place for students interested in entering the profession where they are sorely needed.
    — Michael B. Horn, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Definition of profession
Noun
  • The recent fight at San Diego City Hall over how many middle managers the city employs could signal the start of a shift away from such jobs in the future, after years of their ranks quickly growing.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • The methodology that Murray employs was taught to him at Blumenthal’s restaurant, after the famed and analytical chef behind the Fat Duck worked with food scientist Harold McGee for two years to develop a method to prepare steak to the proper doneness.
    — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 17 June 2025
Definition of employ
Noun
  • Singer continued to advise prospective undergraduates on their college applications while serving his sentence in federal prison in Florida, and from a California halfway house after his release.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2025
  • No food rewards will be available on the Chick-fil-A Play app, which is different from the flagship Chick-fil-A application.
    — Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
Definition of application
Noun
  • In the early 1980s, the first generation of Ocalan’s PKK fighters were trained by leftist Palestinian militants in Bekaa Valley in Lebanon and the PKK fought alongside the same Palestinian militants against the Israeli occupation of Lebanon in 1982.
    — Ragip Soylu, Time, 18 July 2025
  • The law’s application to the inherently dangerous occupation of professional sports has been unclear.
    — Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Definition of occupation
Noun
  • Throughout its tenure, the TLC series has focused on Matt Roloff, Amy Roloff and their children Zach Roloff, Jeremy Roloff, Molly Roloff and Jacob Roloff.
    — Sydni Ellis, People.com, 23 July 2025
  • Ozzy earned many accolades throughout his musical tenure, including an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the UK Music Hall of Fame, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Global Icon Award, the title ‘Godfather of Metal,’ and many more.
    — New York Daily News, New York Daily News, 22 July 2025
Definition of tenure
Noun
  • And so billionaire philanthropy is an exercise of power and deserves skepticism rather than gratitude.
    — Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025
  • Much of their work takes place before extreme weather hits, with tabletop simulations, relationship building exercises and other activities designed to foster close working relationships between weather forecasters, emergency managers and local leaders.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 13 July 2025
Definition of exercise
Noun
  • Today, only 100 to 200 women enter a religious vocation each year in the U.S., and some never complete the process.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
  • Yet both, under different titles, are devoted to the personal and social vocation of the same human beings.
    — Alejandro Antonio Chafuen, Forbes.com, 15 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 30 Jul. 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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