unemployed

adjective

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un·em·ployed | \ ˌən-im-ˈplȯid

Definition of unemployed

: not employed:

a : not being used unemployed machines

b : not engaged in a gainful occupation an unemployed teacher seeking work 15% of the workforce was unemployed.

c : not invested unemployed capital

Other Words from unemployed Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about unemployed

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Synonyms & Antonyms for unemployed

Synonyms

jobless

Antonyms

employed,
working

Examples of unemployed in a Sentence

the plant closings left a significant portion of the town's population unemployed

Recent Examples on the Web Employment surged, especially among the long-term unemployed, the poor and minorities. — Kevin Hassett, WSJ, "The Biden Plan for Economic Sclerosis," 8 Apr. 2021 Another metric that alarms labor economists is the percentage of people classified as long-term unemployed — that is, people out of work for 27 weeks or longer. — NBC News, "U.S. economy gains 379,000 jobs in February, in first full monthly employment report under Biden," 5 Mar. 2021 This group consists of the long-term unemployed — people who have been out of work for 27 weeks or longer. — Jack Kelly, Forbes, "U.S. Employment Rose By 379,000 In February: Signs Point To A Big Pick-Up In Future Job Growth," 5 Mar. 2021 The ranks of the long-term unemployed — those out of work for six months or more — grew again last month, to 4.1 million. — Patricia Cohen, New York Times, "Job Market Picks Up Strength, Led by Food and Drink," 5 Mar. 2021 As President Biden pushes ahead on his $1.9 trillion recovery package, some of the usual voices on the Right are worrying aloud that the federal government may be doing too much, especially to help the unemployed, states and middle-class workers. — Joseph Stiglitz For Cnn Business Perspectives, CNN, "Stiglitz: Failing to pass Biden's relief package would be irresponsible and reckless," 23 Feb. 2021 The first stimulus package in March included a $600 weekly benefit for the unemployed on top of state payments, which vary. — Annie Vainshtein, SFChronicle.com, "What to know about California unemployment benefits under Biden," 21 Jan. 2021 Pessimists’ go-to statistic is the high and rising rate of the long-term unemployed, those who have been out of work for more than six months. — The Economist, "How quickly will America’s labour market recover?," 30 Dec. 2020 The delay also resulted in a temporary loss of unemployment benefits for gig workers and the long-term unemployed. — Jordan Fabian, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Signs Virus Relief Bill After Panning $600 Checks," 28 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unemployed.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.