unemployed

un·em·ployed | \ ˌən-im-ˈplȯid

How to pronounce unemployed (audio)

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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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Examples of unemployed in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web Relatedly, respondents also tended to exaggerate both the share of immigrants who are unemployed and natives who are employed. — Shikha Dalmia, TheWeek, "The lie of the immigrant welfare queen," 28 Jan. 2020 In order to be unemployed, a person must both be jobless and actively look for work. — Olivera Perkins, cleveland, "Ohio unemployment rate 4.2% for December; state gained 9,800 jobs," 24 Jan. 2020 So, too, is joblessness; nearly a fifth of the country’s workforce is currently estimated to be unemployed. — Ilan Berman, National Review, "Iran Could Still Strike Back at the U.S.," 20 Jan. 2020 The offer of jobs to foreigners rankles some in Mexico, a country in which half the population lives in poverty and millions are unemployed. — Maria Verza, BostonGlobe.com, "Thousands camp in Guatemala as Mexico blocks migrant path," 19 Jan. 2020 Farhat also wants commission members to help those who are unemployed find jobs. — Micah Walker, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan board was mysteriously abolished — and he's fighting to bring it back," 18 Jan. 2020 Unlike Lum, Nora Lin is unemployed and still lives at home in a largely ungentrified corner of Queens. — Judy Berman, Time, "Awkwafina Takes the Asian-American Entertainment Renaissance to New Heights in Nora From Queens," 16 Jan. 2020 Those affected by the rule are individuals aged 18 through 49 who aren't raising minor children or are disabled and who are either unemployed or working less than 20 hours a week. — Robert Greenstein For Cnn Business Perspectives, CNN, "Trump's new rule on food stamps will hurt the people who need them most," 19 Dec. 2019 In the West Bank, nearly one in five people are unemployed and there were 705 permanent physical obstacles restricting the movement of Palestinian workers and goods — including checkpoints, gates, roadblocks and trenches. — NBC News, "U.S. reversal leaves settlers cheering, Palestinians fearful of next pro-Israel shift," 23 Nov. 2019

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.

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Dictionary Entries near unemployed

unemployment compensation

unemployment insurance

Statistics for unemployed

Last Updated

4 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Unemployed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unemployed. Accessed 26 Feb. 2020.

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