Synonyms of unemployed

unemployed

adjective

ˌən-im-ˈplȯid 

as in out of work

having no job

the plant closings left a significant portion of the town's population unemployed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• out of work
• jobless
• underemployed
• subemployed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• employed
• working
• self-employed

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unemployed

The satirical youth movement — formed in response to comments comparing unemployed young people to cockroaches — resonated with her. — Priyanka Salve,raksha Murali, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026

James graduated with a mechanical engineering degree in 2023 but remains unemployed. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026

Magali Peralta Hernandez was unemployed and feeling lonely at the start of 2026. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026

The Cockroach movement – named in the wake of a disparaging comment India’s chief justice made about unemployed youth – is now taking a breather, preparing, its leaders say, to throw its weight behind other issues affecting young Indians. — Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 30 July 2026