unemployed

adjective

un·​em·​ployed ˌən-im-ˈplȯid How to pronounce unemployed (audio)
Synonyms of unemployednext
: not employed:
a
: not being used
unemployed machines
b
: not engaged in a gainful occupation
an unemployed teacher seeking work
15% of the workforce was unemployed.
c
: not invested
unemployed capital
unemployed noun

Synonyms of unemployed

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Examples of unemployed in a Sentence

the plant closings left a significant portion of the town's population unemployed
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The movement was formed in May 2026 to protest the government’s cancellation of medical school entrance exams and after India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant likened unemployed youth to cockroaches. — Amrita Basu, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2026 Mainly because Larry was now unemployed and only had enough saved up for nine more months. — Blake J. Harris, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026 Seghers shows how the Nazis win over unemployed youth by hosting parades, concerts, and outdoor expeditions. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 The Cockroach movement began as an online satirical campaign this summer after India’s chief justice compared unemployed young people to parasites. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unemployed

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unemployed was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing unemployed

Rhymes for unemployed

See All Rhymes for unemployed

Browse Nearby Words

unemployable
unemployed
unemployment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unemployed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unemployed. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unemployed

adjective
un·​em·​ployed ˌən-im-ˈplȯid How to pronounce unemployed (audio)
1
: not being used
unemployed tools
2
: not employed : having no job
unemployed workers
unemployed noun
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