unemployment
noun
un·em·ploy·ment ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-mənt 
1
: the state of being unemployed : involuntary idleness of workers
also : the rate of such unemployment
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
Many ethicists focus on preventing worst-case AI scenarios, such as rogue models and mass unemployment, while ignoring deeper questions about how the technology might degrade our humanity or undermine our sense of purpose. —
Elias Wachtel, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026 Her case is one of several federal prosecutions in Georgia tied to alleged misuse of pandemic unemployment benefits, as officials continue to investigate fraud connected to COVID-era relief programs. —Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026 Milei’s popularity plummets amid corruption scandal in Argentina Argentinian President Javier Milei’s popularity plunged to a new low, as rising unemployment and a burgeoning corruption scandal threatened his ambitious economic program and prospects for reelection next year. —Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026 Mass unemployment is mysteriously MIA. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unemployment
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.
Elias Wachtel, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026 Her case is one of several federal prosecutions in Georgia tied to alleged misuse of pandemic unemployment benefits, as officials continue to investigate fraud connected to COVID-era relief programs. —Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026 Milei’s popularity plummets amid corruption scandal in Argentina Argentinian President Javier Milei’s popularity plunged to a new low, as rising unemployment and a burgeoning corruption scandal threatened his ambitious economic program and prospects for reelection next year. —Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026 Mass unemployment is mysteriously MIA. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unemployment
Cite this Entry
“Unemployment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/unemployment. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unemployment
noun
un·em·ploy·ment ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-mənt
: the state of being out of work
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