employs

VERB

make use of

Synonyms

STRONGEST

apply engage exploit handle occupy operate spend use utilize

STRONG

bestow exercise exert fill manipulate

WEAK

bring to bear keep busy put to use take up use up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

be lazy surrender yield

STRONG

take

WEAK

fire ignore lay off let go misuse shun unemploy

VERB

give money in exchange for work performed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

engage enlist hire retain

STRONG

commission contract ink obtain place procure secure

WEAK

bring on board come on board contract for put on sign on sign up take on truck with

Antonyms

STRONGEST

discharge fire let go release shun

STRONG

forfeit lose

WEAK

ignore lay off misuse unemploy

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.

Amazon employs 75,000 people in the UK, half of whom come straight from education or unemployment, according to Boumphrey.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

While it’s unclear exactly how many people SpaceX employs across the U.S., that approximation from Shotwell implies that about a third of the company’s staff is based in Hawthorne.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

Spotify also employs a combination of full-time employees and freelancers that staff each show, including sound engineers, lighting specialists and set designers who help keep the place running.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026

The team employs a risk-parity approach to its asset allocation.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

Women fared somewhat better during this period because the social-service sector in urban areas—which employs primarily women—was expanding at the same time manufacturing jobs were evaporating.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander