EMPLOYMENT Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

employment

noun

im-ˈplȯi-mənt

Definition of employment next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in profession

the activity by which one regularly makes a living his regular employment is that of a restaurant waiter, but he always identifies himself as an actor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in employ

the state of being provided with a paying job the parents tried to convey to their adult son the joys of steady employment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Democrats, unions and liberal groups criticized him for his remarks against workplace protections such as the minimum wage and overtime rules, and conservative publications seized on Mr. Puzder’s employment of an undocumented immigrant as his housekeeper. —

Chris Cameron, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 Formerly a nutritional educator for seniors, Morales was unable to find employment. —

Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025 During the drive, Johns, a Sabah native, told us that guiding had become an attractive employment option on the island, particularly for people of modest means. —

Mihir Zaveri, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025 By far, the biggest asterisk to the employment landscape in 2025 is the impact of policies enacted by the incoming Trump administration. —

Jill Schlesinger, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for employment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for employment

Noun

Expert instructors will teach you how to get started, practical uses, tips for effective prompt-writing and mistakes to avoid.

— Mike Winters, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2025
Jokinen said Gem collaborates with brands that are promoting the use of secondhand.

— Sharon Edelson, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025