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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective conscientious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of conscientious are honest, honorable, just, scrupulous, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.

conscientious in the completion of her assignments
scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

When can honest be used instead of conscientious?

Although the words honest and conscientious have much in common, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

When could honorable be used to replace conscientious?

The synonyms honorable and conscientious are sometimes interchangeable, but honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.

a difficult but honorable decision

Where would just be a reasonable alternative to conscientious?

The words just and conscientious can be used in similar contexts, but just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

When is upright a more appropriate choice than conscientious?

In some situations, the words upright and conscientious are roughly equivalent. However, upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

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 conscientious In Texas, parents must get an affidavit notarized to have a valid conscientious exemption for their child. Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2025 And no, the relative infrequency of such events compared to the 1940s hardly justifies the silence; what do people think has kept such perennial evil at bay all these years if not conscientious outspokenness? Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2025 Echols is also conscientious of the moment around him. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2025 Pushing back against those efforts is a great way for conscientious leaders of both parties to honor Thompson’s legacy as a life-long champion of the people’s power to speak through elections.. Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Orlando Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conscientious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conscientious
Adjective
  • Of course, Greg/Gary is an honorable guy who would never bankrupt Belinda to teach her a lesson about greed and blackmail.
    Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Some Union soldiers attended the event, and two Union officers delivered orations, each focusing on the topic of reconciliation between the honorable foes.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Be careful not to let in too much moisture to avoid any mildew or mold developing on your mattress.
    Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Yet Schlossberg is careful to note that May did not shadow-direct the movie during production.
    Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Many organizations are actively working on ethical AI frameworks to address bias and ensure fair, transparent decision-making processes.
    Chaitanya Laxminarayana, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • As such, Anthropic has been highly attuned to finding ways to bake-in security, legal and ethical parameters to their models, to help businesses avoid problems down the road.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • How Costco membership gets you to splurge All of this is by meticulous design.
    Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
  • These practical tools facilitate thorough record-keeping and foster seamless communication among household staff, conservators, art advisors, insurers, and external professionals, ensuring meticulous management of every piece.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Hungary Law Poses Predicament Limbo land: Film and TV makers are facing a moral dilemma in Hungary, which has become a production hotspot thanks to its generous 30% tax rebate that, crucially, pays upfront.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025
  • But reading also builds our empathic muscles and challenges our ethical and moral judgment.
    Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Though the scene is peaceful and loving, there is a lot of rebellion baked in.
    Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • See treasures The combination of gruesome deaths followed by careful and loving burials also suggests their group was victorious in the conflict, researchers said.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This accountability between sustainability initiatives and resilience among uncertainty is sparking more honest conversations, leading to more realistic goal setting and, ultimately, more meaningful progress.
    Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The album is raw, honest, and deeply personal—a sonic letter to women and their stories, both told and untold.
    Nour Ezzedine, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Beyond analyzing troves of data to sift through requirements even the most diligent person might miss, AI can proactively respond to requests with lightning speed—a superhuman ability that might have saved Josef K from the state.
    Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Toney is already a diligent student of the game.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conscientious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conscientious. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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