unemployment

noun

un·​em·​ploy·​ment ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-mənt How to pronounce unemployment (audio)
Synonyms of unemploymentnext
1
: the state of being unemployed : involuntary idleness of workers
also : the rate of such unemployment
2
: unemployment compensation

Examples of unemployment in a Sentence

My unemployment lasted about six months. Unemployment has been increasing for months. The current unemployment rate is six percent.
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.
Lula can point to low unemployment and easing inflation, but those indicators have not changed perceptions for households struggling with everyday prices. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026 The government has encouraged employers to do their part to reduce the youth unemployment rate, and Amazon is the latest company to pick up the baton. — Kristen Parisi, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 Compare that to the country’s overall unemployment rate, which is hovering around 4%. — John Gill, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 Democrats, meanwhile, are seen as better at handling the issues of jobs and unemployment and Iran, which flipped from +2 for Republicans to +5 for Democrats. — Steve Liesman, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unemployment

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unemployment was in 1789

Phrases Containing unemployment

Rhymes for unemployment

See All Rhymes for unemployment

Browse Nearby Words

unemployed
unemployment
unemployment compensation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unemployment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unemployment. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unemployment

noun
un·​em·​ploy·​ment ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-mənt How to pronounce unemployment (audio)
: the state of being out of work

More from Merriam-Webster on unemployment

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unemployment

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about unemployment

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