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 next

as in engaged

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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 diligent 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 Guinness is specific and diligent with its instructions. —

Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 6 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 Meteorologists, public entities such as NOAA and the National Hurricane Center, and public officials were diligent and urgent in forewarning those in the hurricanes’ path about the breadth of potential impacts and the risk to life and property. —

Jim Foerster, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for diligent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diligent

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
According to the report, women are the most engaged TV audience.

Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024