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.

Not that this does you any good if you’re currently unemployed or underemployed, but very rarely are even 1 in 10 Americans looking for work and unable to find it.

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2026

Many refugees arrive with professional experience and degrees but end up unemployed or underemployed in survival-wage jobs to make ends meet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

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

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