OCCUPATION Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

occupation

noun

ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-shən

Definition of occupation next

as in profession

the activity by which one regularly makes a living my primary occupation is stockbroker, but I'm a drummer in a rock band on the weekends

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in occupancy

the act or fact of residing in a place occupation of a condemned building is illegal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The Gaza conflict did raise the Palestinian issue — the long struggle for independence after decades of Israeli occupation and repression — on the world stage. —

Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025 At Columbia, following a tumultuous school year marked by protests, an encampment on school grounds, a building occupation and the mass arrest of more than 100 demonstrators, the university’s president resigned at the start of the fall semester in August. —

Jeff Winter, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025 However, as Margulis tells Haaretz’s Ruth Schuster, the site’s first human occupation may have occurred some 6,000 years ago, during the Chalcolithic era, or the Copper Age. —

Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Jan. 2025 In the near-cashless realms of Sweden and Norway, some are calling for rethink about electronic payments because of resurgent fears about Russian invasion either through physical occupation of territory or via a cyber assault and suggesting that citizens need to keep cash at home. —

David G.w. Birch, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for occupation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupation

Noun

Background: Addressing gaps is not new for the legislator, who is an educator by profession and began teaching biology to students speaking English as a second language at Rogers High School in 1996.

— Alex Golden, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025
The Boden triplets, who all entered the same medical profession, candidly never expected to find a department that could reasonably take on three new orthopedic surgeons in their specific specialties — spine, foot and ankle, and sports, respectively — at one time.

— Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 30 Jan. 2025