Synonyms of industry

industry

noun

ˈin-(ˌ)də-strē 

as in effort

attentive and persistent effort

he isn't the smartest kid in class, but he gets the best grades by determined industry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• effort
• diligence
• industriousness
• application
• persistence
• assiduity
• assiduousness
• attention
• concentration
• effortfulness
• attentiveness
• sedulity
• care
• sedulousness
• tenacity
• perseverance
• doggedness
• pains
• painstaking
• trouble
• bother
• tirelessness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• negligence
• carelessness
• idleness
• laziness
• slackness
• indolence

Synonym Chooser

How is the word industry distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of industry are business, commerce, trade, and traffic. While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.

When might business be a better fit than industry?

While the synonyms business and industry are close in meaning, business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions.

How do commerce and trade relate to one another, in the sense of industry?

Both commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

When could traffic be used to replace industry?

The meanings of traffic and industry largely overlap; however, traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of industry

This is poised to be one of the biggest beauty trends to come out of 2025, with a 1,400 percent year-over-year increase in popularity, per Spate, a company specializing in machine intelligence for the beauty industry. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025

Because shares of passive funds are bought and sold as a full package, at enormous volumes, the stocks within the funds move up or down together — rather than because one company or industry is thriving or struggling. —Mark Dent, HubSpot, 7 Nov. 2025

Under Soviet rule, Dnipro had been a hub of the USSR’s military and space industries and a closed high security city with restricted access. —Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

Nearly 15,000 Recording Academy voting members which include artists, songwriters, producers and engineers who are active in the music industry are eligible to vote. —Melonee Hurt, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Nov. 2025