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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to interest
to hold the attention of
the video game busied the child for hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of busy
Janice Wald Henderson, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
In 2025, officers responded to the 1800 block of West Malvern Avenue regarding reports of a male engaging in lewd behavior inside his vehicle in a busy public area while his window was lowered.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
So, after the sombrero drew hearty guffaws, my friend Jim busied himself finding monuments to chip-and-dip tastelessness.
—Lee Michael Katz, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for busy
Adjective
Another consideration is when ships dock next to each other in busy ports.
—Janice Wald Henderson, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
In 2025, officers responded to the 1800 block of West Malvern Avenue regarding reports of a male engaging in lewd behavior inside his vehicle in a busy public area while his window was lowered.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
Had Steve Smith been fit and available to play, then the 31-year-old would have been patrolling another part of the field; maybe busying himself in the covers, or chirping away from under a lid at short leg.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
So, after the sombrero drew hearty guffaws, my friend Jim busied himself finding monuments to chip-and-dip tastelessness.
—Lee Michael Katz, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for busy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busy
Adjective
-
The service Staffers are friendly, engaged, and helpful, without being overly formal.—
Sarah Kuta,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
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Just as mental wellness has become increasingly vital, pet benefits complement those efforts—helping to reduce loneliness, strengthen relationships and foster a more engaged workforce.—
Marissa Andrada,
Rolling Stone,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Nguyen’s main renovations brought the bar from the back of the room to the front, an open window into the buzzing new restaurant.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Once a pivotal railway stop, later the site of world-stage events, like the 1996 Olympic Games, and most recently, a filming epicenter, Conyers has blossomed into a buzzing destination, drawing visitors from across the globe.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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What interested me from the very start was a certain fundamental clash of cultures that the crime seemed to have exposed.—
Scott Eden,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
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Pick a topic that interests you, and look for book recommendations made by experts in that field to work out which reads are worth your valuable time.—
Barnaby Lashbrooke,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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To succeed under Emery as an attacking wide player, Elliott needed to be a physical monster (like Rogers and McGinn), able to cover lots of ground, drive forward, and be diligent defensively.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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With the big snowstorm that just dumped more than a foot of snow across most of the state, Volkert also said residents should be diligent about clearing snow away from any vents to their home.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This chic, streamlined Movado watch features a vibrant green dial, complemented by the brand’s minimalist logo.—
John Monaco,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
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Many are coated in a vibrant pops of red or blue, while maintaining a lightweight, long-lasting construction.—
Shagun Khare,
Martha Stewart,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Garlic supplements and dietary garlic can have health benefits, and a few annoying side effects, like bad breath and stomach upset.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
26 Jan. 2026
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Patriots’ fans view Sunday as an annoying calisthenic, if not a joke.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The restaurant has occupied the space for decades, sits steps from the ski lifts in Vail Village, and is a local favorite for skiers, tourists and locals alike.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Bonhams occupies what’s defined as the mid-range market, mostly offering lots priced between $50,000 to $1 million, while the top three — Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Phillips — court sellers and buyers at the vertiginous top end.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Stop and think about what this meant for Live Nation, a formerly thriving commercial entity that achieved commercial success via – yes – live shows the excitement and success of which was rooted in the big, packed crowds that would attend them.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Maryland is a thriving hub for advanced health care and research and development.—
Peter Shen,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Busy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busy. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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