Synonym Chooser

How does the noun occupation differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of occupation are business, calling, employment, métier, pursuit, and work. While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

In what contexts can business take the place of occupation?

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

the business of managing a hotel

When can calling be used instead of occupation?

The words calling and occupation can be used in similar contexts, but calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

When might employment be a better fit than occupation?

While the synonyms employment and occupation are close in meaning, 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 it sensible to use métier instead of occupation?

The words métier and occupation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

Where would pursuit be a reasonable alternative to occupation?

The synonyms pursuit and occupation are sometimes interchangeable, but pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

When would work be a good substitute for occupation?

Although the words work and occupation 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 occupation His great uncle died during the famine in Greece that was brought on by the Nazi occupation and that wiped out at least 300,000 people. Ari Daniel, NPR, 1 July 2025 In other words, the Israeli government appears to be seeking precisely the outcomes that Netanyahu ruled out in January 2024: not only long-term military occupation of Gaza but also the large-scale displacement—or even expulsion—of its civilian population. Max Rodenbeck, Foreign Affairs, 25 June 2025 However, that research found that earnings vary by a range of factors, including education level, field of study and occupation. Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025 Her various occupations, paid and unpaid, included teaching convicts at an area penitentiary and substitute-teaching in junior high. Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for occupation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupation
Noun
  • Moreover, his commitment to the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship demonstrates respect for a key tenet of the profession of medicine.
    Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • Any profession can corrupt its practitioners — and arts critics are no exception.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • The reasons behind the sales are unknown, but office building valuations and occupancy rates have dropped across the country since 2020.
    Molly Davis, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
  • Cincinnati renters face stiff competition, limited supply High demand and limited availability means renters have been forced to act fast and stretch their budgets to land an apartment in the Cincinnati area, where the occupancy rate hovers above 94%, according to RentCafe.
    Randy Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • At another show at Spokane’s annual fall folk fest in November, no one in attendance at the community college auditorium appeared to recognize Thompson from his primary vocation.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2025
  • With Bill Hader voicing the Cat, the new film expands the story of Dr. Seuss' beloved character, taking us into his world and riffing on the notion that showing children how to have fun and grow their confidence is actually his vocation.
    Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Set on a 1,200-acre estate, this remote nature resort (which opened in 2022 with a modernist bathhouse and beachfront baths) may seem like the only hint of human habitation around—but the site has deep roots in Icelandic history.
    Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025
  • Europe and Japan will provide a larger habitation module to accommodate astronauts for up to 90 days, the United Arab Emirates has agreed to build an airlock to add spacewalking capability to the Gateway, and Canada is developing a robotic arm.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Robust absorption: The city continues to attract new tenants, benefiting from higher office utilization rates and faster office employment growth than most other metros.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025
  • Future outlook: The development aims to create a mixed-use, mixed-income community by putting housing near employment hubs and public transportation.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • Unlike countries that offer a path to permanent residency through investment or long-term stays, Slovenia is not (yet) courting expats looking to settle down permanently.
    Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • His order would not affect children born to U.S. citizens or people with legal permanent residency.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • The agency ordered Gateway Energy Storage to conduct environmental monitoring whenever the company handles batteries; safely remove, package and dispose of all impacted battery packs; and submit detailed work plans and progress reports to the agency.
    Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2025
  • Summer Fridays are officially a thing of the past due the prevalence of remote work.
    Brit Morse, Fortune, 7 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Occupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupation. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on occupation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!