Dictionary-enhanced synonyms
Synonyms for “Employ” — 4 Other Ways to Say It
To hire someone and pay them to work for your company or organization.
Meaning of Employ
To give work to a person in exchange for wages or salary.
How to Pronounce Employ
IPA: /ɪmˈplɔɪ/ Stress: oO
Stress on second syllable: im-PLOY. Rhymes with 'boy' and 'toy'.
4 Synonyms for Employ — Words Similar to Employ
Browse alternative words with their meaning, level, and a real example sentence so you pick the synonym that fits your context.
hire
/ˈhaɪər/To give someone a job and pay them to do work.
Example: The company hired ten new employees last month.
recruit
/rɪˈkruːt/To find and hire new people for a job or organization. The company recruits engineers; the army recruits soldiers.
Example: The company is recruiting software engineers for its new office in Dublin.
engage
/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/To make someone interested in something; to get someone's attention
Example: The teacher used videos to engage her students during the lesson.
use
/juːz/To do something with a tool or thing.
Example: I use my phone every day.
Smart Synonyms for Employ — When to Use Each
hire
simpler and more common in everyday business English
recruit
when actively seeking and selecting candidates for positions
use
when employing a method, strategy, or tool rather
Antonyms of Employ — Opposite Words
How to Use Employ and Its Synonyms in Sentences
- The company employs over 500 workers in this factory. B1
- She was employed as a project manager starting last month. B1
- They employ new strategies to improve customer service. B1
Frequently Asked Questions About Synonyms of Employ
What is another word for "employ"?
Common synonyms for "employ" include: hire, recruit, engage, use.
What can I say instead of "employ"?
Try one of these alternatives: hire, recruit, engage, use. Pick the synonym whose register and meaning fits your sentence — see the cards above for definitions and examples.
Is "employ" formal or informal?
"employ" is generally used in formal contexts. Use it in writing, business, and academic settings.
When should I use "employ" instead of "hire"?
Use "employ" when you want to keep the exact nuance shown in the meaning section above; switch to "hire" when you need a different register, level, or shade of meaning. Compare the cards above to decide.
What are the antonyms of "employ"?
Words with the opposite meaning of "employ" include: fire, dismiss.