OCCUPATIONS Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

occupations

noun

plural of occupation

as in professions

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 occupancies

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 occupations New Occupations Are Emerging Yet alongside those job-market figures, new occupations are emerging — such as AI trainers, large‑model application specialists and AI‑ethics officers. — Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The real fault line, Burn-Murdoch argues, isn’t between occupations, but between execution and evaluation. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 Influencers come in all races, ages, socioeconomic and educational backgrounds, genders, and occupations. — Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026 The inductees transcend generations, occupations, and sensibilities. — Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026 The 2024 figures show that, even as workplace deaths have declined nationally, the risk has increased in some occupations, including grounds maintenance. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 Workers in higher-risk occupations may face additional concerns. — Jason Phillips, Ascend Agency, 24 Aug. 2026 Of the 20 most common occupations in Florida, fewer than half — which, taken together, employ nearly 2 million workers — pay more than $24 an hour, according to United Way’s analysis of Census Bureau data. — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 There are, of course, a small number of notable politicians from these kinds of occupations. — Nicholas Carnes, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupations

Noun

Looking at passing citizens reveals flavor text about their professions and backgrounds.

— Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2026
Ranging in age from 24 to 49, the 21-player group includes a professional wrestler, voice actress, federal prosecutor, baseball executive and sociology professor, among many other professions.

— Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of professions

Noun

There were multiple offers and the property went under contract in about a month, a indicator that downtown apartment conversion projects in the last decade are attractive to investors who see occupancies remaining strong.

— Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026
Several hospitality operators in India confirmed the trend and are reporting sharp improvement in occupancies and room prices from May onwards.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 28 May 2026

Definition of occupancies

Noun

Businesspeople have visited schools to help students explore other routes, including community college and vocations such as HVAC technicians.

— Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2026
The article suggests that true mastery comes not from avoiding mistakes, but from operating at the edge of one's capacity, much like in demanding vocations such as sports or diving.

— Ulrik Juul Christensen, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Definition of vocations

Noun

Wild elephants often stray into human habitations this time of year, when rice fields are ready for harvesting.

— CBS News, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
Such defensive settlements became the norm in areas vulnerable to slave-raiding, with individual houses and collective habitations undergoing significant transformations.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025

Definition of habitations

Noun

Its exhibitions, residencies, educational initiatives, and workshops have helped create an emerging local art scene and placed Madagascar on the global art scene’s map.

— Gameli Hamelo, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Bands like the all-female salsa group Agua Pura and the young Los Jefes have taken up unofficial residencies in Segovia's home, using his instruments, recording booths and expertise in the industry to help shape their own sound.

— Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of residencies

Noun

Geneva rolled up 466 yards and crossed the goal line on six of its 10 possessions.

— Jerry Birchfield, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Overall, Hyppolite had 187 yards of total offense (78 passing, 109 rushing) with a passing touchdown and led a defense that held North Miami (0-2) to just one scoring drive on nine possessions.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of possessions

Browse Nearby Words

occupation

occupations

occupied

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Occupations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupations. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of occupations

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes