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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 Late public school buses and needing to take care of an occasionally sick child, along with at capacity or costly child care centers, contributed to her precarious employment. Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Oct. 2025 In the Sacramento area, for instance, the forecast noted a big drop in business services employment, including tech workers, consultants, lawyers, accountants and architects. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2025 Here's a look at how the saga has unfolded, including some of Roberts' past employment, criminal history and immigration proceedings. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2025 Last to mention is that there appears to be some lucky energy, either around your employment, routines or physical health. Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for employment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for employment
Noun
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2025
  • As their name suggests, these earbuds are best suited for use with Google’s Pixel phones, and support for iOS is limited.
    Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Lejano said hospitals in his area are expanding capacity while some veteran nurses are leaving the profession due to burnout from the covid pandemic, creating openings.
    Phillip Reese, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Broader trends suggest an uneven labor market, with professions like health care continuing to thrive while other fields lag, Stahle said.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 3 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
  • 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
  • Since his tenure ended, the LDP has faced fallout over a slush fund scandal, an inflation surge, and a rightward political shift across the country.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Thompson's crime policies led to more state prisons The tough-on-crime laws Thompson signed forced the construction of a record number of prisons and led to Wisconsin having 21,000 inmates during his tenure — three times as many as neighboring, smaller Minnesota, at the time.
    Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Crews could be seen Thursday morning conducting training exercises in vacant residential buildings, including on the roof of one structure and in the windows of another, in the Valentine neighborhood just east of Southwest Trafficway.
    Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Brisk Walking Walking is gentle, low-impact, and excellent for exercise beginners or seniors.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 2 Oct. 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 8 Oct. 2025.

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