Synonyms of busy

busy 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbi-zē 

1

as in engaged

involved in often constant activity

the deadline is in two days, so everyone at work has been extremely busy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in buzzing

marked by much life, movement, or activity

the busy, often hectic floor of the New York Stock Exchange

Synonyms & Similar Words

• buzzing
• vibrant
• thriving
• crowded
• humming
• lively
• populous
• bustling
• brisk
• abuzz
• happening
• alive
• flourishing
• animated
• kinetic
• hopping
• rousing
• stirring
• abubble
• astir
• teeming
• swarming
• overflowing
• aboil
• thronging
• abounding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inactive
• sleepy
• dead
• lifeless
• asleep

3

as in intruding

thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited

she's one of those busy production facilitators—always concerned about other people's work and never her own

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intruding
• annoying
• officious
• interfering
• meddling
• nosy
• intrusive
• meddlesome
• pushy
• rude
• obtrusive
• pushing
• prying
• protrusive
• presumptuous
• snoopy
• curious
• inquisitive
• bumptious
• presuming
• invading
• brazen
• impudent
• insolent
• trespassing
• harassing
• impertinent
• bold
• overbearing
• pestiferous
• superserviceable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unobtrusive
• quiet
• silent
• uninvolved
• withdrawn
• retiring
• reticent
• reclusive
• reserved
• subdued
• restrained
• inhibited
• taciturn
• hands-off

busy

2 of 2

verb

as in to interest

to hold the attention of

the video game busied the child for hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interest
• occupy
• intrigue
• involve
• immerse
• fascinate
• engage
• attract
• grip
• engross
• distract
• preoccupy
• bemuse
• absorb
• catch up
• enthrall
• obsess
• enchant
• catch one's eye
• charm
• enwrap
• captivate
• beguile
• hypnotize
• mesmerize
• allure
• monopolize
• bewitch
• hog

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weary
• bore
• tire
• pall
• jade

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of busy are assiduous, diligent, industrious, and sedulous. While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

When would assiduous be a good substitute for busy?

While in some cases nearly identical to busy, assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.

assiduous practice

In what contexts can diligent take the place of busy?

The words diligent and busy can be used in similar contexts, but diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

Where would industrious be a reasonable alternative to busy?

The synonyms industrious and busy are sometimes interchangeable, but industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

When could sedulous be used to replace busy?

The words sedulous and busy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application.

a sedulous investigation of the murder

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of busy

Adjective

At 101, Hal Silberman likes to keep a busy schedule. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 2 May 2026

Vegetable & Herb Garden From planting in early May to harvesting as the month progresses, May is a busy vegetable garden time in Southern states. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026

Verb

While the former tracks profits and expectations, the latter busies itself with tangible stuff, from jobs and wages to GDP. —Tristan Bove, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026

The song vamps where Railings used to weave and wind, its ever-busying rhythm section building tension atop its harmonic simplicity. —Craig Heed, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2026