unemployed

adjective

un·em·ployed | \ˌən-im-ˈplȯid

Definition of unemployed

: not employed:

a : not being used

b : not engaged in a gainful occupation

c : not invested

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

Keep scrolling for more

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

The police are the boots-on-the-ground government workers who first encounter the mentally ill, the drug-addicted, the homeless, and the unemployed. — Ben Austen, The New Republic, "How one American city chose to tackle crime, combat racism, and reckon with the legacy of police brutality," 21 June 2018 There are no jobs, or even functioning charitable organizations to feed the unemployed or impoverished. — Margarita Herdocia, Time, "Nicaragua Is Heading Down the Same Dark Path as Venezuela," 13 June 2018 However, ten percent of them are employed in low-skilled jobs, and 2 percent of them are unemployed. — Ita Tsai, chicagotribune.com, "Internationally educated nurses to help with the US nursing shortage," 13 July 2018 French legend Zidane, who played with Beckham in Spain, is unemployed after abruptly stepping down as Real Madrid coach four days after leading the team to a third consecutive Champions League trophy. — Michelle Kaufman, miamiherald, "Beckham's Miami MLS team 'really close' to announcing name, GM, colors," 27 June 2018 Bachelor’s degree holders were unemployed at 2.5 percent and earned and $1,173 weekly, on average. — Christopher Quinn, ajc, "Costs of starting and not finishing college are high," 23 June 2018 Dinkelacker noted that Riggins was unemployed and has previously served time in prison for drug and gun convictions. — Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati.com, "50-year sentence for 'unspeakable' murder of father-to-be," 2 Feb. 2018 Proves that a simple story – poor, unemployed, very young grandmother tries to raise her daughter’s daughter in a low-rent motel room in the shadow of Disney World – can be effective. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Daugherty's Morning Line: Do you really want your players in the MLB All-Star Game?," 9 July 2018 Shanifinne Ball is unemployed and cares for her elderly uncle in a trendy, fast-changing part of the US capital. — The Christian Science Monitor, "Washington D.C. sued for putting 'creative class' above minority communities," 28 June 2018

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.