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.

Jack, the investment broker who teams up with Tess in more ways than one, is played by Anoop Desai in a dashing but theatrically underemployed performance.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 19, 2025

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 recently spent six months selling solar door-to-door, partly to learn more about the industry, partly out of desperation as an underemployed writer.

From Slate • Nov. 7, 2024

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

From Salon • Nov. 3, 2024

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

From "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers

underemployed

Example Sentences

Related Words