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

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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 None of them had ever started, owned, or run a business, making the transition from a dream to a thriving studio a monumental leap that took years of diligent saving, education, and unshakable faith. —

Patrice Peck, Essence, 21 Oct. 2024 DeWine was outraged enough by Trump’s slurs about his home town and the diligent legal Haitians living there to speak up about it. —

Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024 After a diligent search, Block told the campaign that the same trend had held during the election that had just ended, despite Trump’s baseless claims of widespread fraud and corruption. —

Philip Elliott, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024 The school principal and hospital administrator should be as diligent about finding productivity enhancements as the factory manager or farmer. —

Bill Conerly, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for diligent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diligent

Adjective

Seeing a movie at a theatre is another way to stay away from your phone and hopefully become engaged in something that isn’t the election.

Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
In turn, this leads to greater success, stronger relationships and a more loyal, engaged workforce.

Krystyna Larrave, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024