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as in use
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose the employment of the kitchen oven as a storage cupboard had predictably disastrous results

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun employment differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of employment are business, calling, métier, occupation, pursuit, and work. While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," 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 business a more appropriate choice than employment?

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

the business of managing a hotel

When would calling be a good substitute for employment?

In some situations, the words calling and employment are roughly equivalent. However, calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

When can métier be used instead of employment?

The meanings of métier and employment largely overlap; however, métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

In what contexts can occupation take the place of employment?

While the synonyms occupation and employment are close in meaning, occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

When is it sensible to use pursuit instead of employment?

The words pursuit and employment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

When might work be a better fit than employment?

Although the words work and employment 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 employment The Federal Reserve, which opted to cut interest rates earlier this month, is guided by a dual mandate to keep inflation under control and maximize employment. Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025 That’s a key fact given that under labor law, unions represent employees—not independent contractors, interns, apprentices or some other designation short of employment. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2025 Apex, North Carolina, came in third, with the 12th-lowest unemployment rate and a strong 20th-place ranking for employment growth, the study found. Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 Studies of other welfare policies such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have largely found that work requirements do not notably increase employment but do cause people to lose assistance. Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for employment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for employment
Noun
  • Still, some industry critics have said Peloton's equipment isn't appropriate for gym settings because the machines can't handle higher frequency use, which prompted the company to create a more durable lineup.
    Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Leadership in batteries, robotics and automation brings economies of scale and deep R&D pipelines that can be redirected toward military use.
    Rebecca A. Fannin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • For context he’s been in this profession for 23 years and is 46 [years] old.
    Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Those on-demand, realistic substitutes could potentially expedite training for healthcare professions.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But the depth of struggles beyond that must prompt some broader questions about philosophy or the type of hitters Houston employs.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
  • That night was one of Cronin’s final evenings in the employ as the Anaheim Ducks’ head coach.
    Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That number decreased significantly the following day, to 909, and continued to drop before fluctuating between about 30 and 300 applications for the duration of the application period.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The battlefield applications of these fields are already being demonstrated.
    Rebecca A. Fannin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Spanish bakers brought European bread-making techniques, which were later influenced by French baking during the 19th century under Emperor Maximilian and the French occupation.
    Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • But as the text reads, no Palestinian living under occupation will feel reassured that citizenship of any state will be available to them in the foreseeable future.
    Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Adames had a rocky start to his tenure in San Francisco after signing a seven-year, $182 million deal this offseason, the largest contract in franchise history at the time.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Parsons has enjoyed a solid start to his tenure in Green Bay.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In a cruel exercise, each kid is provided with a pack of basic supplies and made to hike 50 miles through the wilderness to the top of Mount Otis.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Incorporating short walks, stretching or light exercises throughout the day can interrupt long periods of inactivity and offer significant health benefits.
    Jack McNamara, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Work is less about vocation and more about earning a paycheck while people search for purpose elsewhere.
    John Winsor, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • And does Ainara go through with her vocation?
    John Hopewell, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Employment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/employment. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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