as in actively
in a manner involving great or constant activity
the deadline is in two days, so everyone in the department has been working busily
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Recent Examples of busily
That’s led to top Canadian creatives and producers becoming partners with major American producers busily making original movies and TV series in Toronto and Vancouver for global streaming platforms.
—
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 20 Mar. 2026
Amid rampant speculation that Zendaya has already wed fiancé Tom Holland, the movie star is busily promoting The Drama, her upcoming A24 movie about, well, a wedding that may or may not end up happening.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 17 Mar. 2026
Except for the weird assortment of tentacled, befinned, leaflike, rocklike, or altogether bizarre strangers who busily or somnolently populate the stone.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
The only wine club that exclusively ships Napa Valley red wine to its members, Robb Report 672 Napa Valley Wine Club is busily preparing its first selection of the year.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2026
In another slightly opposite situation, an actress left the stage and grabbed the cell phone from a member of the audience who was busily texting, totally ignoring the play.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
Getty Images—2026 Getty Images At the same time, Denmark has been busily bolstering its military presence in Greenland.
—Lisa Abend, Time, 18 Jan. 2026
No matter what happens Monday night in the College Football Playoff title game between Indiana and Miami — a game that will be played in South Florida — Columbus will be busily celebrating the sight of alums hoisting the national championship trophy.
—CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
First-year Arkansas Coach Ryan Silverfield and staff are busily in the process of restocking the roster -- at quarterback and many key defensive positions -- through the portal, as has become the custom in recent years for the Razorbacks and the rest of the FBS.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 3 Jan. 2026
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 20 Mar. 2026
Amid rampant speculation that Zendaya has already wed fiancé Tom Holland, the movie star is busily promoting The Drama, her upcoming A24 movie about, well, a wedding that may or may not end up happening.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 17 Mar. 2026
Except for the weird assortment of tentacled, befinned, leaflike, rocklike, or altogether bizarre strangers who busily or somnolently populate the stone.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
The only wine club that exclusively ships Napa Valley red wine to its members, Robb Report 672 Napa Valley Wine Club is busily preparing its first selection of the year.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2026
In another slightly opposite situation, an actress left the stage and grabbed the cell phone from a member of the audience who was busily texting, totally ignoring the play.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
Getty Images—2026 Getty Images At the same time, Denmark has been busily bolstering its military presence in Greenland.
—Lisa Abend, Time, 18 Jan. 2026
No matter what happens Monday night in the College Football Playoff title game between Indiana and Miami — a game that will be played in South Florida — Columbus will be busily celebrating the sight of alums hoisting the national championship trophy.
—CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
First-year Arkansas Coach Ryan Silverfield and staff are busily in the process of restocking the roster -- at quarterback and many key defensive positions -- through the portal, as has become the custom in recent years for the Razorbacks and the rest of the FBS.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 3 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busily
Adverb
-
At the same time, deploying strategic sobriety checkpoints — particularly during peak-risk periods — can likewise ensure that law enforcement not only follows up on harm but also actively discourages dangerous behavior.—
Sean M. Cleary,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
-
These are the regions where specific tick populations are permanently established, constantly present and actively transmitting diseases.—
Emily Bache,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Caleb practiced the Chappell Roan hit diligently with his piano teacher, Lori Stemmer, even rehearsing in his inflatable suit.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
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For 10 years, Frances has worked diligently to become the perfect wife for Jo.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Busily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busily. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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