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
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 2026
One of Europe’s deadliest migration corridors, where unclaimed bodies often wash up on shore, the passage to Crete is fueled by wars and instability across Africa and is growing busier even as pressure eases on other Mediterranean routes.
—ABC News, 28 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
The Dionne Phillips Bagsby Southwest Subcourthouse in Fort Worth was the busiest early voting location in the Democratic primary, with 7,696 early voters.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 2026
One of Europe’s deadliest migration corridors, where unclaimed bodies often wash up on shore, the passage to Crete is fueled by wars and instability across Africa and is growing busier even as pressure eases on other Mediterranean routes.
—ABC News, 28 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
-
In 2010, just 3% of married or engaged couples had a prenup.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Direct work factors included average workweek hours, employment rate, share of household where no adults work, share of workers leaving vacation time unused, share of engaged workers and idle youth rate.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
There is plenty to see and do in Jamaica's vibrant capital city, from the must-visit Bob Marley Museum and the National Gallery of Jamaica to award-winning restaurants and buzzing dance halls.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
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Just off the gondola entrance sits Club Moritzino, one of the Dolomites’ most enduring mountain huts and a buzzing lunch and apres-ski destination.—
Chadner Navarro,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even study or doing a mental journey of some kind will interest you and satisfy your crave for excitement.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Dreams — probably interests with a hint of values in Welch’s terms — aren’t enough.—
Sarah Jackson,
CNBC,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Even with diligent care, the ADA says risks remain.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Drugs with very tight therapeutic windows, such as heart and pulmonary drugs, require more diligent monitoring and administration.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The restaurant moves beyond the usual clichés of Indian food, offering a dedicated vegetarian tasting menu featuring dishes like a vibrant avocado and mint tart spiked with green chili, and a velvety corn soup with khandvi.—
Nupur Singh,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Feb. 2026
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These vines will trail along buildings, fences, and trellises alike, giving gardens a tropical, vibrant feel.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Noise limits In the 2010s, a common concern about wind turbines was that the swishing noise was annoying or even dangerous to residents’ health.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
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Adhesive Residue No one likes to battle the annoying sticky residue left behind from price tags or brand labels, but those are no match for your steam cleaner.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The backstory Patio Elba occupies a historic building in the heart of Santurce.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Their tasting room occupies a former 1920s schoolhouse with bocce courts outside.—
Audrey T. Williams,
Mercury News,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Dadeland became a thriving retail outlet.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve is home to healthy and thriving seagrass, wetlands and a vital wildlife habitat.—
Justin Tramble,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Busy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busy. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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