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Showing results for underemployed. Search instead for underemploymen.
Definitions

underemployed

[uhn-der-em-ploid] / ˌʌn dər ɛmˈplɔɪd /
ADJECTIVE
unemployed
Synonyms
STRONGEST
idle inactive jobless
STRONG
down free loafing
WEAK
at liberty between jobs closed-down disengaged fired laid-off leisured on layoff on the bench on the dole on the shelf out of a job out of action out of work resting unapplied unengaged unexercised unoccupied unused without gainful employment workless
Antonyms
STRONGEST
active busy working
WEAK
employed occupied

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Not that this does you any good if you’re currently unemployed or underemployed, but very rarely are even 1 in 10 Americans looking for work and unable to find it.

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2026

Mr. Rogen is more than comfortable as a well-heeled mogul who’s essentially likable albeit arrogant, and if Mr. Ansari comes across as too intelligent to be so chronically underemployed, he makes for a fine everyman.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

I think about my career and need to find work that gets me out of being constantly underemployed.

From Salon • Nov. 3, 2024

Erica Tay, an economist at Maybank Investment Banking Group, said that since China considers employment as working at least one hour per week, there’s no way to account for underemployed youth.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2024

Half the young men of that age group are either unemployed or underemployed.

From "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers