OCCUPATION Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'occupation' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of occupation are business , calling , employment , métier , pursuit , and work . While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training. // his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

Q: In what contexts can 'business' take the place of 'occupation'?

While in some cases nearly identical to occupation , business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs. // the business of managing a hotel

Q: When can 'calling' be used instead of 'occupation'?

The words calling and occupation can be used in similar contexts, but calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession. // the ministry seemed my true calling

Q: When might 'employment' be a better fit than 'occupation'?

While the synonyms employment and occupation are close in meaning, employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer. // your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

Q: When is it sensible to use 'métier' instead of 'occupation'?

The words métier and occupation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted. // acting was my one and only métier

Q: Where would 'pursuit' be a reasonable alternative to 'occupation'?

The synonyms pursuit and occupation are sometimes interchangeable, but pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest. // her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

Q: When would 'work' be a good substitute for 'occupation'?

Although the words work and occupation have much in common, work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not. // her work as a hospital volunteer

occupation

noun

ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-shən

Definition of occupation

as in profession

the activity by which one regularly makes a living my primary occupation is stockbroker, but I'm a drummer in a rock band on the weekends

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in occupancy

the act or fact of residing in a place occupation of a condemned building is illegal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun occupation differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of occupation are business, calling, employment, métier, pursuit, and work. While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

In what contexts can business take the place of occupation?

While in some cases nearly identical to occupation, business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

the business of managing a hotel

When can calling be used instead of occupation?

The words calling and occupation can be used in similar contexts, but calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

When might employment be a better fit than occupation?

While the synonyms employment and occupation are close in meaning, employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.

your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

When is it sensible to use métier instead of occupation?

The words métier and occupation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

Where would pursuit be a reasonable alternative to occupation?

The synonyms pursuit and occupation are sometimes interchangeable, but pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

When would work be a good substitute for occupation?

Although the words work and occupation have much in common, work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not.

her work as a hospital volunteer

Example Sentences

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 occupation The Joint List opposes the war in Gaza and Israel’s occupation of the West Bank. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 Economist David Autor says this outcome reflects the reality that many workers are already in their highest and best-paying occupation. — Steve Liesman, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026 Weaving fact and fiction into a World War II-era novel, Philippe Collin tells the story of Frank Meier, who worked in Paris’ Ritz Hotel during the Nazi occupation. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026 Which occupations lose their very purpose when the human element is removed? — Scott Levenson, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for occupation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupation

Noun

The clientele here is notably upscale, in-the-know, and coming from all fields of business, with an emphasis on creative professions and the luxury fashion world.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Schupbach also presented the Museum at FIT Student Award to Chloe LaBel, an art history and museum professions student at FIT, Class of 2027.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of profession

Noun

But elevated fuel costs have made executives more willing to sacrifice occupancy and avoid discounts.

— Reuters, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, for instance, has struggled with occupancy despite major marketing campaigns and has accumulated nearly $700 million in losses since 2017, according to the Financial Times.

— Contessa Brewer,Ryan Ruggiero, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of occupancy

Noun

My dream would be to hear that people have watched this program and discovered the vocation.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
These women — cradle Catholics and converts, former nuns, teachers, hospice chaplains, counselors, spouses, mothers, grandmothers — say their defiance is the fulfillment of a vocation, no different than the call answered by their male counterparts.

— Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of vocation

Noun

Italy’s commitment to build a habitation module and Japan’s contribution of a pressurized rover offer something new to NASA, which didn’t have contracts with US companies to do that work.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026
Many Gazans have remained in homes now unsafe for habitation.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of habitation

Noun

Those with high levels of hope had better later outcomes in health, education and employment.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
The convergence of young people’s anger over education and employment, fears of authoritarianism, and concern for the sanctity of the vote poses a serious challenge to the Modi government.

— Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of employment

Noun

Both policies have limitations, and residency requirements and emergency coverage deserve careful review.

— Lance B. Fulford, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
The brand’s efforts include the By Art Matters museum, which opened in 2021, as well as ongoing artist residencies and editorial collaborations with artists.

— Denni Hu, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of residency

Browse Nearby Words

occupants

occupation

occupations

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Occupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupation. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of occupation

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes