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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 If Trump’s policy ultimately stands, children born in the U.S. whose parents are undocumented immigrants or visa holders could be left stateless, denied passports, Social Security numbers and access to education or employment. Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 June 2025 When that happens, the Federal Reserve has to consider its dual mandate: keeping prices stable and supporting maximum employment. Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 26 June 2025 Walmart also held open the possibility that some workers whose jobs are being cut could find employment elsewhere with the huge company. George Avalos, Mercury News, 25 June 2025 For one more year, senior officials said no services to students are being cut and no full-time workers are losing employment and benefits — although some people are changing jobs and making less money. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 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, 25 June 2025
  • Israeli jets frequently made use of Syrian airspace.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Usher and Tom Brady Two titans in their respective professions, Usher and Brady were photographed near each other at the Gritti Palace Hotel.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • Their professions range from sales representatives to community coaches, and Auckland’s winnings of roughly €4 million ($4.5 million) from the Club World Cup—peanuts to elite clubs—is a fortune for an entity and federation not used to dealing in such sums.
    Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Detailing his gofer duties today to the court, Kaplan is known to have left Combs’ employ after a year, in some part due to the violence he is said to have seen.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 May 2025
  • Lowe’s employs about 300,000 people, mostly hourly.
    Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Base the fertilizer applications on the size of your lemon tree and the fertilizer product, following package directions carefully.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2025
  • The real applications are for space weather predictions.
    Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • Her various occupations, paid and unpaid, included teaching convicts at an area penitentiary and substitute-teaching in junior high.
    Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025
  • According to Roeser, this decrease in pay could be partly due to the 200 survey participants who no longer reported their occupations as software developers.
    Amaia Gavica, Idaho Statesman, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • The 6-3 McDonald’s All-American is big signee for Pat Kelsey entering Year 2 of his tenure with the Cardinals, ranking as the No. 1 point guard prospect for Rivals.
    Aaron Beard, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2025
  • The Heat closed this past season with Smith, Isaiah Stevens and Josh Christopher on two-way deals, with Christopher no longer eligible for such a contract due to the length of his NBA tenure.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • The point of this exercise was to see where Montreal fits in the marketplace.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • The exercise of writing is to think about your own thinking, to put ideas into form and interrogate them.
    Lindsey Witmer Collins, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Ben scrapes by as a none-too-gracious DoorDash delivery driver, among other odd jobs; Jordan may have a vocation as a photographer, but needs to apply himself.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 27 June 2025
  • My grandmother found her vocation within the surrounding and seemingly infinite national forestland, and after helping at the family-run tavern and serving his country in World War II, my grandfather built handcrafted fishing rods.
    Paul Nicolaus, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Employment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/employment. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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