employ

1 to provide with a paying job a new factory that will employ 500 people Synonyms assume, engage, fee [chiefly Scottish], hire, lay on [chiefly British], pay, place, recruit, retain, sign (up or on), take on Related Words reemploy, reengage, rehire; apprentice, contract, job, partner, subcontract; enlist; advance, promote, upgrade; keep (on); headhunt, scout Near Antonyms furlough, lay off, lock out Antonyms ax (or axe), can, discharge, dismiss, fire, sack

2 to put into action or service looking for a job in which she can employ her considerable writing skills Synonyms apply, use, exercise, exploit, harness, operate, utilizeRelated Words handle, manipulate, wield; direct, run, work; cannibalize, recycle, reuseNear Antonyms ignore, neglect; misapply, misuse