Synonyms of assiduous

assiduous

adjective

ə-ˈsij-wəs 

as in diligent

involved in often constant activity

the fascinating sight of assiduous ants carrying food into the anthill

Synonyms & Similar Words

• diligent
• engaged
• busy
• employed
• active
• occupied
• industrious
• working
• preoccupied
• sedulous
• laborious
• immersed
• bustling
• hopping
• concentrating
• absorbed
• tied-up
• focused
• buzzing
• lively
• indefatigable
• tireless
• humming
• engrossed
• operational
• operating
• vigorous
• vibrant
• operative
• functioning
• animated
• going
• untiring
• focussed
• hardworking
• energetic
• intent
• flourishing
• thriving
• knee-deep
• astir
• functional
• swamped
• happening
• running
• living
• alive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• idle
• unemployed
• inactive
• free
• unoccupied
• latent
• passive
• quiescent
• sleepy
• slow
• unbusy
• dormant
• inert
• lifeless
• asleep
• dull
• dead
• inoperative
• nonoperating

Synonym Chooser

How is the word assiduous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of assiduous are busy, diligent, industrious, and sedulous. While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.

assiduous practice

When is it sensible to use busy instead of assiduous?

Although the words busy and assiduous have much in common, busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

When could diligent be used to replace assiduous?

The words diligent and assiduous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

When would industrious be a good substitute for assiduous?

While in some cases nearly identical to assiduous, industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

When can sedulous be used instead of assiduous?

The meanings of sedulous and assiduous largely overlap; however, sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application.

a sedulous investigation of the murder

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of assiduous

Record sales were up, and due to his assiduous efforts, Colonel never tired of reminding Snow, all sorts of new, high-paying opportunities in radio and television were starting to open up. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025

Astronomy has lost one of its most assiduous calculators of eclipses with the passing of astronomer Fred Espenak. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 3 June 2025

Millay, an assiduous reader and enthusiastic quoter of poetry, was surely familiar with their work. —A.o. Scott, New York Times, 1 May 2025

China has since become Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner and an assiduous supporter of the regime (and along with South Africa may have given its blessing to the recent coup). —John Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 17 Nov. 2017

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