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

Examples 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 Left unsaid in the motion for withdrawal was the consequence of the 2024 presidential election—the agency will likely take a much less favorable attitude towards college athlete employment under incoming president Donald Trump. —

Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 10 Jan. 2025 Retail growth, a sharp turnaround from steep losses in November, was bolstered by employment increases across key categories. —

Sean Conlon, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025 In essence, employment levels are high, but those looking for work are having a harder time. —

Talmon Joseph Smith, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025 With a focus on mentorship in sewing, makeup, stage skills, and even employment access, Onya is going to change the world with art and good, old-fashioned compassion. —

EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for employment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for employment

Noun

In the future, Watch Duty hopes to explore the use of other types of data, such as river gauges, tsunami buoys and earthquakes.

Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
The lawsuit, originally filed by DHL in September, centers around a financial disagreement stemming from MyPillow's use of DHL's delivery services.

Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025