Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of assiduous are busy, diligent, industrious, and sedulous. While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.

assiduous practice

When is it sensible to use busy instead of assiduous?

Although the words busy and assiduous have much in common, busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

When could diligent be used to replace assiduous?

The words diligent and assiduous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

When would industrious be a good substitute for assiduous?

While in some cases nearly identical to assiduous, industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

When can sedulous be used instead of assiduous?

The meanings of sedulous and assiduous largely overlap; however, sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application.

a sedulous investigation of the murder

Examples 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 assiduous The irony of the term extension is that Disney, which pushed so hard to keep its own creations out of the public domain, is perhaps our most assiduous exploiter of, yes, the public domain. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2023 Securing the best surviving print of a film often required assiduous detective work. Joshua Hunt, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Maestro centers on Cooper’s assiduous show of respect for Bernstein — Cooper meticulously enacts Bernstein’s rise to celebrity while sympathetically balancing his hotshot, wunderkind arrogance with the physical ravages of time. Armond White, National Review, 22 Dec. 2023 Saved Stories The renowned television producer Norman Lear, who died yesterday at 101, pursued his craft with an assiduous fervor throughout his seven decades in the entertainment industry. Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for assiduous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assiduous
Adjective
  • Some 20 years later, another Times writer, sounding like an anti-DEI whiner, wrote approvingly about diligent Indians grateful for free schooling and medical services, and disapprovingly about the Indians who weren’t.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024
  • The co-worker said the baby’s father was a diligent worker but somewhat odd.
    Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Now in their 30s, Bieber is married to model Hailey Bieber, and Gomez recently became engaged to music producer Benny Blanco.
    Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
  • By creating a supportive, educated and engaged environment, leaders can seamlessly embed wellness into the workplace routine.
    John Graham Harper, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • After a slow and frustrating start to the week missing out on Juan Soto and Fried, the Red Sox were busy on Wednesday.
    Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
  • The park has been gradually reopening since July 2022, and weekends are busy enough that rangers urge visitors to make parking reservations at least a day ahead (details below).
    Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024

Podcast

Thesaurus Entries Near assiduous

Cite this Entry

“Assiduous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assiduous. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on assiduous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!