Synonyms for

Employ

Verb / eˈmplɔɪ / / ɪˈmplɔɪ / Another word for employ — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to hire someone to work for pay

Synonyms & similar words

utilize engage fire unemployment use hire apply utilise employment hire recruit appoint contract enlist engage retain occupy staff place use apply utilize commission appoint enroll

Synonyms by register

Formal

engage hire recruit appoint

Informal

hire take on put on

Literary

commission retain

Antonyms

dismiss fire sack release discharge unemploy terminate

Common collocations

  • employ staff
  • employ people
  • employ workers
  • employ a strategy
  • employ a method
  • employ resources
  • employ a tactic

Word family

noun employment
verb employ
adjective employable

Usage note

While 'employ' can refer to using something, its primary meaning is to hire someone for work. Be mindful of the context to avoid ambiguity.

Example sentences

  1. The restaurant will employ more waiters during the busy season.
  2. My mom is looking for a job, but it's hard to find someone to employ her skills.
  3. The factory employed over 500 workers at its peak.
  4. The company decided to employ a new marketing strategy.
  5. He was employed as a teacher for ten years before he retired.

Quotes

  • The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. - Mahatma Gandhi
  • “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” - Martin Luther King Jr.
  • “It is not the employer who pays the wages. Employers only handle the money. It is the customer who pays the wages.” - Henry Ford

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