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 last time Angelenos sacked an incumbent city attorney in the primaries, almost 30% of them were unemployed.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

When I first graduated, I moved back in with my parents and sulked around because I was unemployed and without an internship lined up.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026

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

From BBC • May 29, 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

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