Synonym Chooser

How is the word diligent different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of diligent are assiduous, busy, industrious, and sedulous. While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

When might assiduous be a better fit than diligent?

The meanings of assiduous and diligent largely overlap; however, assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.

assiduous practice

When is it sensible to use busy instead of diligent?

While the synonyms busy and diligent are close in meaning, busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

In what contexts can industrious take the place of diligent?

Although the words industrious and diligent have much in common, industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

When would sedulous be a good substitute for diligent?

The words sedulous and diligent can be used in similar contexts, but sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application.

a sedulous investigation of the murder

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 diligent Here’s what to know to stay especially diligent and go all season bite-free. Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2025 Adults older than 60 were most diligent in their handwashing habits, with 74% doing so after using the bathroom or handling food. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 5 May 2025 But the swift and diligent response to KJ's condition led to timely treatment. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 16 May 2025 Hard work and diligent monitoring will spell success. Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for diligent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diligent
Adjective
  • Yes, rewarding users with tokens costs companies, but the trade-off is a loyal, engaged audience.
    Matvii Diadkov, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • Players like Jefferson, who do not have to show up for these voluntary sessions, are not only present but engaged.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • Webster said the thought was to fill storefronts closest to the busiest World Cup activities, likely in and around downtown, or within a mile of the streetcar line.
    Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
  • In a busy warehouse, for instance, human workers and multiple robots performing different tasks—often from different vendors—need a unified system that ensures smooth collaboration, avoiding collisions and idle time.
    Florian Pestoni, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • At his best, McCann does an assiduous, subtle job of twining his metaphors through everyday life.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
  • For Britain’s prime minister, Keir Starmer, the trade deal would offer vindication for his assiduous cultivation of Mr. Trump.
    Ana Swanson, New York Times, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Since the show's conclusion, Zoe has remained active in the fashion and lifestyle space, in part through her newsletter The Zoe Report, which launched in 2009.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • Action step: Practice active listening during meetings.
    Kent Ingle, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • In one memorable scene, the industrious little girl wanders out of a laundromat while Lu is off looking for more dough, finding her way into an open house for a multimillion dollar brownstone nearby.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025
  • Together with ticks, these industrious rodents help spread a disease that affects hundreds of thousands every year.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Diligent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diligent. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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