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employ

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb employ contrast with its synonyms?

The words use and utilize are common synonyms of employ. While all three words mean "to put into service especially to attain an end," employ suggests the use of a person or thing that is available but idle, inactive, or disengaged.

looking for better ways to employ their skills

Where would use be a reasonable alternative to employ?

Although the words use and employ have much in common, use implies availing oneself of something as a means or instrument to an end.

willing to use any means to achieve her ends

When is it sensible to use utilize instead of employ?

While the synonyms utilize and employ are close in meaning, utilize may suggest the discovery of a new, profitable, or practical use for something.

an old wooden bucket utilized as a planter

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 employ
Verb
Based in Los Angeles with offices across the U.S., London, and Munich, UTA employs more than 3,000. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2025 The Riverside prison currently employs nearly 1,200 staff and houses roughly 2,766 people. William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
The methodology that Murray employs was taught to him at Blumenthal’s restaurant, after the famed and analytical chef behind the Fat Duck worked with food scientist Harold McGee for two years to develop a method to prepare steak to the proper doneness. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 17 June 2025 As with McDonald, Brindley is thought to be happy in his current employ. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for employ
Recent Examples of Synonyms for employ
Verb
  • But then Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell hired Flores in 2023.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
  • The company hired Ballard, and Carnival’s chairman, Micky Arison, secured the highest-possible-level meeting: with the national-security adviser, John Bolton; the Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo; and Trump.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Ford and other automakers are now focused on also producing lower-cost, smaller EV models using cheaper-to-make batteries that sit on a streamlined platform.
    Jamie L. LaReau, Freep.com, 9 Aug. 2025
  • The mobile booking facility — something typically used during civil unrest, according to Thiel — will not entirely free up officers, but should make arrests and citations faster, Thiel and Johnson said.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Trump’s tariffs, which could have impacted employment numbers, didn’t single out California, Flores said.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Once these people have a roof over their heads, they’re offered services for drug abuse, mental illness, education and employment.
    Jade Walker, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • From my first conversation with Tommy Gilhooly, I got fired up about coaching and recruiting true student-athletes and building upon a proud basketball program.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
  • That honestly brings me more joy than getting recruited.
    Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The investment will utilize the company’s proprietary technology to improve the Sky’s cybersecurity measures by tracking and responding to the rapidly growing mess of online abuse, threats and harassment players face.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2025
  • Vibe coding utilizes plain English prompts rather than complex coding syntax to instruct AI models to generate code.
    Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Princess Anne's son is engaged to be married to the NHS nurse — and their sweet PDA is worth a revisit King Charles’ nephew Peter Phillips is engaged to be married to Harriet Sperling, calling for a look back at their sweetest moments as a couple so far.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Six months in, Anna and Eric are engaged, and deciding whether to stay in California or move their families to England.
    Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Seth Rubin, formerly VP of Lending Marketing Analytics at Citibank, led transformative efforts in applying AI for pricing optimization and enhancing customer experiences across multiple marketing channels.
    Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
  • For those looking to silence such critics, Mazower suggests, an expansive definition of antisemitism which could be applied to a broad range of expression was particularly useful.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • During the leak, former and current customers' information was exploited, including names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth and more personal details.
    Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Phishing, malware and misinformation relentlessly exploit weak points in online systems.
    Akram Atallah, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Employ.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/employ. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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