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 Elgin removed the sculptures from the Acropolis in Athens in 1801, while Greece was under Ottoman occupation. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Someone who has regarded filmmaking as a mysterious occupation might begin to see a way into it. — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026 Gateway jobs are around 75 occupations that account for 62% of the job-to-job changes that lead to higher pay. — Byron Auguste, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 In the exaggerated version of history promoted by yakuza movies of the nineteen-sixties, Korean and Taiwanese gangsters enjoyed the protection of the American occupation government. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for occupation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupation

Noun

Licenses are required for certain professions, such as cosmetologists and barbers.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
While talk of brand deals and hairstyling as a profession are natural assumptions as next steps post-college, Huettl says that for now, this is just a fun hobby.

— Audrey Noble, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of profession

Noun

While some of the engineering can be precisely calculated — air, water, waste, power, occupancy and storage, for example — other questions around bunker design are murkier.

— Megan Buerger, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
Downtown office towers have traded at a deep discount in recent years after occupancy plummeted in the wake of the COVID pandemic.

— Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of occupancy

Noun

He was dressed like a director, in blacks and blues—jeans, baseball cap, puffer coat, Hokas—but spoke and moved at the unhurried pace of a novelist, his original vocation.

— E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Smaller trade and vocation programs lack these same resources, Sigelman said.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 9 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

After all, a few additional years of employment can translate to more savings, fewer years of withdrawals and a bigger Social Security benefit.

— John Csiszar, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026
Emerge continues to provide employment support for 12 months after placement.

— Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of employment

Noun

For those looking to go beyond obtaining residency, golden passports go further by granting citizenship.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Explore See latest videos, charts and news Performing as part of his 30-night residency at the New York venue, Styles paused to address the crowd before the tribute.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of residency

Noun

Chisell, who previously worked at Amazon, eBay and Starling Bank, estimates that Paysend can now deliver around 25% more engineering work with the same-sized team, but argues that getting results isn’t as simple as handing everyone the latest tech.

— Lindsay Dodgson, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
Making the show work within Keery’s schedule was a challenge.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of work

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“Occupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupation. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of occupation

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