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Showing results for unemployment. Search instead for unemploymen.
Definitions

unemployment

[uhn-em-ploi-muhnt] / ˌʌn ɛmˈplɔɪ mənt /
NOUN
depression
Synonyms
STRONG
bankruptcy bust crash crisis deflation dislocation downturn drop failure inactivity inflation overproduction panic paralysis recession retrenchment sag slide slowness slump stagflation stagnation
WEAK
bad times bear market big trouble hard times rainy days
Antonyms
STRONG
calm increase rise success
WEAK
bulge cheerfulness convexity encouragement happiness hope hopefulness protuberance recovery surge
NOUN
idleness
Synonyms
STRONG
dawdling dormancy droning hibernation inactivity indolence inertia leisure lethargy loafing shiftlessness sloth slothfulness slouch slowness sluggishness stupor torpidity torpor trifling truancy
WEAK
dilly-dallying goof-off time joblessness laze lazing loitering otiosity own sweet time pottering time on one's hands time to burn time to kill time-wasting vegetating
Antonyms
STRONG
activity energy life liveliness vigor
WEAK
action ambition busyness diligence employment hustle industry labor occupation work
NOUN
inactivity
Synonyms
STRONGEST
lethargy sluggishness stagnation
STRONG
dawdling dormancy droning hibernation idleness indolence inertia inertness leisure loafing shiftlessness sloth slothfulness slouch slowness stupor torpidity torpor trifling truancy
WEAK
dilly-dallying goof-off time inoperativeness joblessness laze lazing loitering otiosity own sweet time pottering time on one's hands time to burn time to kill time-wasting vegetating
Antonyms
STRONGEST
energy vigor
STRONG
employment work
NOUN
inertness
Synonyms
STRONG
dawdling dormancy droning hibernation idleness inactivity indolence inertia leisure lethargy loafing shiftlessness sloth slothfulness slouch slowness sluggishness stagnation stupor torpidity torpor trifling truancy
WEAK
dilly-dallying goof-off time inoperativeness joblessness laze lazing loitering otiosity own sweet time pottering time on one's hands time to burn time to kill time-wasting vegetating
Antonyms
STRONG
activity busyness employment energy life liveliness vigor work
NOUN
inoperativeness
Synonyms
WEAK
dawdling dilly-dallying dormancy droning goof-off time hibernation idleness inactivity indolence inertia inertness joblessness laze lazing leisure lethargy loafing loitering otiosity own sweet time pottering shiftlessness sloth slothfulness slouch slowness sluggishness stagnation stupor time on one's hands time to burn time to kill time-wasting torpidity torpor trifling truancy vegetating
NOUN
layoff
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cutback
STRONG
discharge respite
WEAK
early retirement
Antonyms
WEAK
employment hiring
NOUN
leisure
Synonyms
STRONGEST
convenience recreation relaxation
STRONG
chance ease freedom holiday intermission liberty opportunity pause quiet range recess repose respite rest retirement sabbatical scope time vacation
WEAK
idle hours leave of absence one's own sweet time requiescence spare moments spare time time off vacant hour
Antonyms
STRONGEST
labor work
STRONG
continuation difficulty imprisonment incarceration restraint restriction
WEAK
employment
NOUN
recession
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bankruptcy collapse decline deflation downturn hard times inflation shakeout slide slump stagnation
STRONG
bust depression
WEAK
bad times big trouble rainy days
Antonyms
STRONGEST
increase rise success
WEAK
advance inflation

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 unemployment rate is seen remaining around current levels.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

Low salaries and unemployment are the top concerns.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

In March, unemployment was 4.3%, down slightly from the 4.4% rate in February.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

The unemployment rate for this group stands at 5.6%, compared with 4.2% for all workers as of late 2025.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

The brutal era of sharecropping and Jim Crow was ending, but what followed was persistent unemployment and worsening poverty.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Vocabulary lists containing unemployment

Eastern Europe - Introductory

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Western Europe - Introductory

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The Great Depression and The New Deal

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