as in lucrative
yielding a profit
graduated from school and went looking for gainful employment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gainful
At her age, being prickly was neither enchanting nor gainful.
—
Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 15 June 2025
Additionally, the bill would repeal regulations for schools like the gainful employment rule, which requires institutions to demonstrate their educational offerings are sufficient to help students land well-paying jobs.
—Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 2 June 2025
Yesterday’s pangrams were gainful, unfailing and unflagging.
—Julia Jacobs, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Her husband takes a stab at gainful employment with a food delivery service but quits because the wealthier class of Singaporean customers prove fussy and prone to complaining.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for gainful
Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 15 June 2025
Additionally, the bill would repeal regulations for schools like the gainful employment rule, which requires institutions to demonstrate their educational offerings are sufficient to help students land well-paying jobs.
—Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 2 June 2025
Yesterday’s pangrams were gainful, unfailing and unflagging.
—Julia Jacobs, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Her husband takes a stab at gainful employment with a food delivery service but quits because the wealthier class of Singaporean customers prove fussy and prone to complaining.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for gainful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gainful
Adjective
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But prosecutors argued that the South Florida group, in collaboration with a few key Haitians starting in April 2021, wanted to replace Moïse with a new president willing to hire them for lucrative security and infrastructure contracts in Haiti.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
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This evening, Barclays is actually hosting the semifinals of Unrivaled, the lucrative three-on-three US women’s basketball league that tips off in the WNBA offseason and streams live on HBO Max.—
Yohana Desta,
Vanity Fair,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Frontier expands routes, will cut less profitable ones Dempsey took over from longtime Frontier CEO Barry Biffle in December and has unwound some of his more aggressive expansion plans.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
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From a buyer’s perspective, IPL ticks all the right boxes and is the only profitable bet that investors can take on Indian sports as of now, experts said.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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This is nonetheless a worthwhile exercise to take stock of the potential class.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
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However, this worthwhile endeavor isn't without expense, and the initial cost is certainly something to consider.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gainful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gainful. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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