DILIGENT Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

diligent

adjective

ˈdi-lə-jənt

Definition of diligent

as in engaged

involved in often constant activity a student who has been unceasingly diligent in pursuit of a degree in mathematics

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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 The person who reads a stack of newsletters before breakfast gets treated as diligent, and the person who scrolls for an hour and calls it research gets away with it entirely. — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 The unknowable force that does not lend itself to hope, prayer, diligent actions, good intentions or rigorous effort. — Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 James also arrives at the arena atypically early, part of a diligent pregame routine. — Fred Katz, New York Times, 31 July 2026 Also, be diligent about recycling if there are bins provided. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for diligent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diligent

Adjective

But writing notes by hand requires a more engaged mental filter.

— Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
By creating measurable value today, employees become more engaged in their roles.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of engaged

Adjective

Then, the Iran war started, resulting in massive disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, once one of the world's busiest oil-shipping lanes.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Palacios brings plenty to Ipswich with and without the ball, the statement signing in a busy window who could go a long way to keeping them up.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of busy

Adjective

There is some minor damage noted in the Carfax report, and the auction listing also notes there is an open recall on the car—suggesting its owner was perhaps not the most assiduous—but, overall, looks clean in the photos.

— Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 25 May 2026
The astronauts were therefore assiduous in their descriptions of the crater.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2026

Definition of assiduous

Adjective

The Angels have not made the postseason since 2014, the longest active postseason drought in the majors, and have not won a playoff game since 2009, two years before Trout reached the majors.

— Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Burnham, a former lawmaker who was elected to Parliament in June after almost a decade away as mayor of Greater Manchester, is set to make a statement in the House of Commons setting out his vision of a more active but less centralized state.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of active

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“Diligent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diligent. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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