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

Morris also observed that executive turnover among Musk’s direct reports at Tesla is 44%, compared to about 9% at Meta, Amazon, and Netflix; overall, Tesla’s executive turnover rate is 27%, nearly double the industry average. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025

Accepting her Deadline French TV Disruptor Award in front of a packed room of industry folk who were attending the Unifrance Rendez-Vous market, Herrero spoke about her Olympic experience and used it to call for boldness. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025

Which industries are hiring the most right now? —Paul Davidson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025

However, the rest of the AI industry is likely horrified by the settlement, which advocates had suggested could set an alarming precedent that could financially ruin emerging AI companies like Anthropic. —Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025