UNEMPLOYMENT Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

unemployment

noun

Definition of unemployment

as in joblessness

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of unemployment California’s unemployment rate remains among the highest in the country, and the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office has warned that early-2026 job growth may have been overstated. — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 Colorado offers six months of unemployment benefits, and Huff's are set to run out in early December. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026 Months of American and Israeli bombs have damaged the country’s industries and infrastructure, spiking unemployment and pushing more Iranians into poverty. — Narges Bajoghli, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026 In addition, African Americans — whose unemployment rate hit 7 percent in September — and recent college graduates are disproportionately feeling the pain of a job market in which, despite few layoffs, job opportunities are lacking. — Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unemployment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unemployment

Noun

The median spell of unemployment lasts about 11 weeks, and the average is more than six months, suggesting rising levels of long periods of joblessness.

— Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
In August, the average unemployed person had been out of work for more than six months, the longest average stretch of joblessness since February 2022.

— Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of joblessness

Noun

The initial Russian campaign represents completely irrational force employment and, in many cases, frankly, nonemployment.

— Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2022
The nonemployment crisis of the 2010s and the opioid crisis of the 2010s weren’t completely separate.

— New York Times, New York Times, 4 Dec. 2020

Definition of nonemployment

Noun

Geragos' motion comes days after another one of the men named in the civil suit filed a request in Albany State Supreme Court seeking James's removal, also citing alleged bias.

— James Cirrone , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
The pull strap seen above that light eases removal of the top panel.

— Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of removal

Noun

From 2022 through 2025, 68 percent of Manhattan’s counterfeiting cases ended in adjournments in contemplation of dismissal (ACDs), compared with 17 percent of other Manhattan misdemeanor cases.

— Daniel Edward Rosen, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
When a dismissal order and the driving record contradict each other, call the office that was supposed to transmit the update.

— Karen Koehler, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismissal

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“Unemployment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unemployment. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unemployment

noun

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