unemployed

[uhn-em-ploid] / ˌʌn ɛmˈplɔɪd /

ADJECTIVE

without a job

Synonyms

STRONGEST

idle inactive jobless underemployed

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.

The longer you stay unemployed, the harder it is to find work.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026

The easy thing then would have been to play it safe and hire a big name from the glittering ranks of unemployed managers.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

There were more unemployed young men than young women - 257,000 compared with 143,000.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

The higher levy made it more expensive for employers to fund entry-level jobs, a real problem with more than 16% of Brits ages 16 to 24 now unemployed.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

Someone like me who was unemployed or had a prior criminal record?

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Vocabulary lists containing unemployed

Workshop 6, Part 2

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unemployed

Example Sentences

Related Words

Vocabulary lists containing unemployed

Workshop 6, Part 2