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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Today, the complex has become a major source of local employment. Maria Williams, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025 In states where federal employment is more crucial to the economy, such as Maryland, Virginia or Alaska, there’s more of a crisis atmosphere. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2025 The justices could reject the petition, accept it for full briefing and argument, or issue a temporary order addressing Perlmutter's employment status while considering the broader constitutional questions. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025 Proof that your employment ended and last date paid. Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for employment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for employment
Noun
  • Xi will not stop China’s use of widespread economic subsidies or alter the other policies that have flooded American and allied markets with its goods.
    Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The project aims to build a research base on the Moon for use by participating countries by the early 2030s.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • And now, with the independence of the legal profession at risk, firms must advocate not just for their own clients, or for their short-term business survival, but for the profession itself.
    Fabio Bertoni, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
  • This, the medical profession maintains, is the stuff of fiction.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Oct. 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
  • This passive multistable design also makes the finger safer, especially in applications like grasping objects in industrial automation, where simple, predictable mechanics can prevent accidents.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Those who did not receive council support have the opportunity to rollover their application next year for another chance.
    Dana Afana, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The territory remained under Portuguese rule, apart from a brief Japanese occupation during the Second World War, until 1975, when a left-wing Portuguese government pledged to withdraw from all its colonies.
    Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
  • In this stratified society, citizens are divided into seven status levels that determine every aspect of their lives — from housing to occupation to food rations.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Lutnick, who has said he is heavily invested in cryptocurrency, has also pushed for pro-crypto policies during his tenure.
    Melanie Hicken, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Based on the writer and director’s own tenure as a teen reporter for Rolling Stone, the film earned Crowe the 2001 Academy Award for best original screenplay — but is, above all else, a love letter to music, the director says.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The 65-year-old exercise instructor and fitness personality didn’t rely on gimmicks to get Mel Owen’s attention.
    Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Getting regular exercise—Chambers said even light exercise helps.
    Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • She was fed up with actors (like Maya Rudolph) dipping their toe into someone’s lifelong vocation and claiming to be an expert.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Universities have abandoned soul formation in favor of vocation, losing their moral vision in pursuit of market metrics.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Employment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/employment. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on employment

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