Synonyms of employ

employ 1 of 2

verb

im-ˈplȯi 

1

as in to hire

to provide with a paying job

a new factory that will employ 500 people

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hire
• recruit
• engage
• retain
• pay
• enlist
• place
• assume
• sign (up or on)
• fee
• take on
• lay on
• job
• partner
• promote
• reemploy
• rehire
• subcontract
• reengage
• upgrade
• contract
• keep (on)
• apprentice
• advance
• headhunt
• scout

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• can
• dismiss
• axe
• sack
• ax
• fire
• discharge
• lay off
• lock out
• furlough

2

as in to use

to put into action or service

looking for a job in which she can employ her considerable writing skills

Synonyms & Similar Words

• use
• utilize
• apply
• exploit
• operate
• harness
• exercise
• draw upon
• draw on
• make use of
• wield
• handle
• manipulate
• bring to bear
• work
• direct
• run
• recycle
• reuse
• cannibalize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• neglect
• misuse
• misapply

employ

2 of 2

noun

im-ˈplȯi 

as in employment

the state of being provided with a paying job

while you're under our employ, you can't do outside work for our competitors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• employment
• hire
• work
• tenure
• assignment
• engagement
• position
• appointment
• recruitment
• occupation
• situation
• conscription
• enlistment
• post
• place
• incumbency

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• removal
• unemployment
• firing
• discharge
• dismissal
• boot
• sack
• suspension
• severance
• leave
• nonemployment
• retirement
• joblessness
• liberty
• furlough
• layoff
• demotion

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb employ contrast with its synonyms?

The words use and utilize are common synonyms of employ. While all three words mean "to put into service especially to attain an end," employ suggests the use of a person or thing that is available but idle, inactive, or disengaged.

looking for better ways to employ their skills

Where would use be a reasonable alternative to employ?

Although the words use and employ have much in common, use implies availing oneself of something as a means or instrument to an end.

willing to use any means to achieve her ends

When is it sensible to use utilize instead of employ?

While the synonyms utilize and employ are close in meaning, utilize may suggest the discovery of a new, profitable, or practical use for something.

an old wooden bucket utilized as a planter

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of employ

Verb

Miller’s attorney, Joel Levine, told The Times that the FBI threw the book at his client as an overreaction to its mistake in keeping him employed. —Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025

The wind industry also employs roughly 4,000 people across the state and draws billions of dollars in capital investments. —Benji Jones, Vox, 22 Apr. 2025

Noun

That’s more workers than big industries such as construction, transportation and finance employ. —Dyana Mason, The Conversation, 31 Jan. 2025

The film stars Ke Huy Quan as a real estate agent who has reinvented his life after leaving the employ of his intimidating gangster brother. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 Feb. 2025