Synonym Chooser

How does the noun occupation differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of occupation are business, calling, employment, métier, pursuit, and work. While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

In what contexts can business take the place of occupation?

While in some cases nearly identical to occupation, business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

the business of managing a hotel

When can calling be used instead of occupation?

The words calling and occupation can be used in similar contexts, but calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

When might employment be a better fit than occupation?

While the synonyms employment and occupation are close in meaning, 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 it sensible to use métier instead of occupation?

The words métier and occupation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

Where would pursuit be a reasonable alternative to occupation?

The synonyms pursuit and occupation are sometimes interchangeable, but pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

When would work be a good substitute for occupation?

Although the words work and occupation 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 occupation Most of today’s WHIN students will make their living in nonmusical occupations. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 13 Mar. 2025 Should an invaded country or part of it fall under foreign occupation, local populations would require official representation in exile. Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025 The leading occupations for immigrants in 2023 included manicurists, maids, housekeepers and roofers. Yacob Reyes, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025 Some 6 million Ukrainians live under Russian occupation. Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for occupation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupation
Noun
  • This profession provides a career that can support a family for a lifetime.
    Ryan Dohrn, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • In a world where so many are facing daily struggles in their lives, the theme speaks to the core of our profession: the need to transform compassion into tangible action and produce positive, lasting results.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Noninterest expense rose by 5.4% to $87.3 million, driven by increases in compensation and benefits, data processing, and occupancy expenses.
    Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 12 Mar. 2025
  • As its name makes clear, the Roof Space 4 doubles the occupancy of the original Roof Space 2 to sleep a total of four people.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The best-selling author’s latest release, Martha: The Cookbook, with Lessons and Stories from My Kitchen, is her 100th cookbook that pays homage to her lifelong vocation of cooking.
    Alicia Geigel, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Jan. 2025
  • As for Hawke, the site has become not only a place of healing, connection and community, but also an unexpected vocation.
    Brian M. Sloan, NBC News, 9 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In Africa, the earliest evidence of human rainforest habitation dated to 18,000 years ago.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Ice may lie an inch or so below the Moon’s surface in many more regions than previously thought — which has major implications for longer-term lunar exploration or even habitation.
    Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • 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
Noun
  • Portugal offers other types of residency visas, including a golden visa program and a digital nomad visa.
    Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Aside from her show, Clarkson is also getting ready for her Las Vegas residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
    Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.
    Jonathan Gay, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The biennial aims to put the contemporary works featured in the exhibition in conversation with early-twentieth-century paintings from the collection of the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, where the event is being held.
    News Desk, Artforum, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Occupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupation. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on occupation

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