as in lucrative
yielding a profit
graduated from school and went looking for gainful employment
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gainful
At her age, being prickly was neither enchanting nor gainful.
—
Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 15 June 2025
Additionally, the bill would repeal regulations for schools like the gainful employment rule, which requires institutions to demonstrate their educational offerings are sufficient to help students land well-paying jobs.
—Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 2 June 2025
Yesterday’s pangrams were gainful, unfailing and unflagging.
—Julia Jacobs, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Her husband takes a stab at gainful employment with a food delivery service but quits because the wealthier class of Singaporean customers prove fussy and prone to complaining.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for gainful
Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 15 June 2025
Additionally, the bill would repeal regulations for schools like the gainful employment rule, which requires institutions to demonstrate their educational offerings are sufficient to help students land well-paying jobs.
—Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 2 June 2025
Yesterday’s pangrams were gainful, unfailing and unflagging.
—Julia Jacobs, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Her husband takes a stab at gainful employment with a food delivery service but quits because the wealthier class of Singaporean customers prove fussy and prone to complaining.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for gainful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gainful
Adjective
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Newman said the partnership could make sense for Google as well, because Apple-scale token usage would give it a major proof point for Gemini and build on a search partnership that has long been lucrative for both companies.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
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Private companies are angling for a lucrative statewide contract while state lawmakers are preparing for a special session to address Georgia’s voting system, the AJC’s Caleb Groves and Tamar Hallerman report.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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OpenAI isn’t expected to be profitable in the coming years.—
Bailey Lipschultz,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
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The venue is projected to be profitable within five years and generate nearly $29 million in revenue by 2036.—
Clay Marshall,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Tony touches such as twice-daily housekeeping, complimentary newspapers dropped at your door, and complimentary house car service (based on availability) make this splurge a worthwhile investment.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Additionally, running items through the wash before use is a worthwhile step.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gainful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gainful. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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