Synonym Chooser

How does the noun occupation differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of occupation are business, calling, employment, métier, pursuit, and work. While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

In what contexts can business take the place of occupation?

While in some cases nearly identical to occupation, business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

the business of managing a hotel

When can calling be used instead of occupation?

The words calling and occupation can be used in similar contexts, but calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

When might employment be a better fit than occupation?

While the synonyms employment and occupation are close in meaning, 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 it sensible to use métier instead of occupation?

The words métier and occupation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

Where would pursuit be a reasonable alternative to occupation?

The synonyms pursuit and occupation are sometimes interchangeable, but pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

When would work be a good substitute for occupation?

Although the words work and occupation 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 occupation The federal law signed in July allows workers in certain occupations to deduct up to $25,000 in tips from the income reported on their tax filings. Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025 Soros makes a fortune on Wall Street Soros, a Hungarian native born in 1930, moved to London after surviving the Nazi occupation of his home country. Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025 The historic ship helped thousands of Greeks make the two-week sea voyage from Athens to New York and often served as an escape route for hundreds fleeing the Nazi occupation and later, the difficult postwar years in Europe. Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025 The boycott is set to continue until all sponsors enabling and profiting from the occupation of Palestine are dropped. Literary Hub september 26, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for occupation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupation
Noun
  • For context he’s been in this profession for 23 years and is 46 [years] old.
    Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Those on-demand, realistic substitutes could potentially expedite training for healthcare professions.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The policy also stated that individuals who transitioned could not stay at youth camps overnight and were only allowed to use single-occupancy restrooms within church grounds.
    Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
  • The property has consistently enjoyed high occupancy since it was built in 1980, according to Graham Street’s broker, Aaron Johnson.
    Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 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
Noun
  • But there are significant differences between their ideas of cosmic habitation.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Lee would sometimes visit Anderson at the Highland Chateau health and rehabilitation center in Highland Park, where she had been relocated with some objection after her Surrey Avenue property was deemed unfit for human habitation.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The expectation was that rates could move more decisively on Friday, when the monthly employment report was set for release, but the government shutdown now has that in limbo.
    Diana Olick, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Over the course of a 45-minute media session, Picollo listed the job employment that won’t change but spent the majority of his time talking about the things that will change offensively.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Puerto Rican superstar has since made his third appearance as Saturday Night Live’s musical guest and staged a 30-show concert residency in San Juan.
    Walden Green, Pitchfork, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Parton was set to perform six shows at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace from December 4 to 13 in her first Las Vegas residency in more than 30 years.
    Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But according to government guidance, personnel must return home as soon as possible if a shutdown occurs while on work travel.
    Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025
  • His work with rural counties has earned favorable notices, but in urban areas like Phoenix, many of the experts in Joan's reporting raised questions about Livar's effectiveness.
    Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Occupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupation. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on occupation

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