Synonyms for

Unemployed

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

Definition

Unemployed means not having a job or work.

Synonyms & similar words

unemployedpeople employed jobless unoccupied idle unengaged unoccupied disengaged vacant free available unhired unstaffed unrecruited unfilled unappointed unassigned unattached unfixed unsettled

Synonyms by register

Formal

jobless out of work idle

Informal

on the dole between jobs not working

Literary

unhired at leisure

Antonyms

employed working hired busy occupied engaged active

Common collocations

  • unemployed workers
  • unemployed youth
  • unemployed graduates
  • long-term unemployed
  • recently unemployed
  • unemployed population
  • unemployed person

Word family

noun unemployment
adjective unemployed

Usage note

While 'unemployed' is a neutral term, 'jobless' can sometimes carry a slightly more negative connotation. 'Out of work' is a common and neutral alternative.

Example sentences

  1. The unemployed man looked for a job every day.
  2. She was worried about becoming unemployed during the pandemic.
  3. Many people became unemployed after the factory closed down.
  4. He felt worthless because he was unemployed.
  5. After graduating from college, she was unemployed for six months.

Quotes

  • Unemployment is capitalism's way of getting you to plant a garden.
  • Unemployment is like a headache or a high temperature - unpleasant and exhausting but not carrying in itself any explanation of its cause.
  • The best unemployment insurance is still a job.

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