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

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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 army Mladic created to fight in Bosnia was a model of ruthlessness, daring and brutality in the Serb warrior tradition, once prized in the life-or-death partisan struggle against the Nazi occupation of Yugoslavia in World War Two. — Ivana Sekularac, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 The real fault line, Burn-Murdoch argues, isn’t between occupations, but between execution and evaluation. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 The artists of the Union became mythical heroes at meetings outside Palestine, as they were almost always denied travel by the occupation. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Influencers come in all races, ages, socioeconomic and educational backgrounds, genders, and occupations. — Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for occupation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupation

Noun

Hogan, who spends the off-season as a graduate student in fiction writing at the University of Houston, seemed to view smokejumping not only as a profession but as a world view.

— M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Looking at passing citizens reveals flavor text about their professions and backgrounds.

— Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of profession

Noun

Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images Bhandari expects that, at best, his 122-bed hostel will reach 60% occupancy during that peak tourist season this year, down from 100% last year.

— Sam Meredith,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
But today a quick accounting shows the Plaza’s occupancies are slightly better than holding steady, with 28% of its 151 storefronts unoccupied.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of occupancy

Noun

There was no sign of human habitation to be seen from our long terrace; the Daishoji River surged below.

— Pico Iyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026
Learn About Local Cultures Route 89 passes through several areas that have a rich history of human habitation dating back millennia.

— Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of habitation

Noun

In fact, the breakeven rate of employment growth, or the number of net new jobs needed each month to keep the unemployment rate steady, actually went slightly negative during the summer and fall of 2025.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
The proposal is part of Gates’ broader warning that governments need to prepare now for dramatic changes to employment brought on by AI.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of employment

Noun

The cost model, the data residency claim, the model's training cut-off.

— Maman Ibrahim, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Grande has been booked and busy this summer, touring across North America and Europe for her Eternal Sunshine Tour, which kicked off in June and concludes in September after a ten-night residency at London’s The O2.

— Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of residency

Noun

Users reported problems with Outlook, while OpenAI said users may experience problems starting or continuing tasks in ChatGPT Work, temporarily disabling two of the modern office's favorite methods of assigning more work.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Aquarius January 20 – February 18 A vague request could create an impressive amount of unnecessary work today.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of work

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occupants

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occupations

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“Occupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupation. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of occupation

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