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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Several factors are linked to overall wellbeing, from meal sharing to income and employment status, according to the report. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025 While this figure is already significant, when expanding to the leisure and hospitality industries – including the oceanfront hotels and restaurants that travelers flock to – the number of Americans who owe their employment to beach vacationers grows even more. Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 20 Mar. 2025 However, the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), which makes the official call, looks at other indicators like employment rates, business investment and consumer spending to determine if the downturn is widespread and sustained. Mike Winters, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025 The agency tracks employment and payroll tax payments for all workers with a Social Security number and automatically calculates old age benefits. Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for employment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for employment
Noun
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The scientists have so far successfully demonstrated use of the tech in mice.
    Alex Knapp, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Each time a cluster appears, researchers have tried to pin down the exact environmental hazards, professions, and activities that might be linked to it.
    Shayla Love, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2025
  • But college coaching is a profession built on a rickety bridge of fragile friendships that can rot away with each tipoff, every recruiting battle and the always dangerous game of measuring one against the other.
    Brendan Quinn, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • His fortunes seemingly reverse when he’s brought into the employ of Mr. Tobler, an inventor whose no-nonsense protocol sets in motion this riveting character drama from Wilhelm and Anka Sasnal, adapted from a 1908 Robert Walser novel.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Lowe’s employs about 300,000 people, mostly hourly.
    Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The university has already received more than 150 applications, according to a public relations agency representing the university.
    Chandelis Duster, NPR, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Click and drag unused applications to the Trash icon in the dock.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The 13th century sculpted item is currently on view in the Louvre’s Denon wing, where a label says it was acquired during the German occupation of France, with the intention of displaying it in a Düsseldorf museum.
    The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 21 Mar. 2025
  • That’s too bad for several reasons, including Lee’s meticulous reconstruction of Hong Kong and Shanghai under Japanese occupation, paranoid, perilous places in which anyone could be working with the occupying forces or conspiring against them.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Igor Tudor represents Juventus values Arguably the biggest issue for Motta was his complete failure to deliver the promising tactical outlook seen during his Bologna tenure, Juve too often looking disjointed and devoid of ideas over the last two months.
    Adam Digby, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Saint Mary’s is making its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in a row and has become a regular during Randy Bennett’s 24-year tenure.
    The Athletic, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • When passenger train service ended in 1967, town officials set up offices in the station before converting it into a senior community center with a kitchen where elderly residents prepare meals, play cards, dance, and exercise.
    Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2025
  • My friends in the French Air Force tell me (by Signal obviously) that last Tuesday’s ‘Poker 2025’ nuclear attack exercise went off well.
    Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The talents who seemed to be well at ease in their vocation as poet thrived the most: Lamartine, Victor Hugo felt like they were invested with a new dignity.
    Walter Benjamin, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The vocation of medicine, while noble, exacts a toll.
    Richard Menger MD MPA, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Employment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/employment. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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