as in actively
in a manner involving great or constant activity
the deadline is in two days, so everyone in the department has been working busily
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Recent Examples of busily
The journey began on the top deck of a research vessel as a crew of Sims-like individuals busily prepared for the upcoming dive to the wreckage.
—
Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
King scored only 9, while busily directing traffic and delivering the ball to his go-getting teammates.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Let’s also look after our helpers — the lady beetles, earthworms, birds, bees, syrphid flies and lacewings that busily help our gardens thrive.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
That’s led to top Canadian creatives and producers becoming partners with major American producers busily making original movies and TV series in Toronto and Vancouver for global streaming platforms.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 20 Mar. 2026
Amid rampant speculation that Zendaya has already wed fiancé Tom Holland, the movie star is busily promoting The Drama, her upcoming A24 movie about, well, a wedding that may or may not end up happening.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 17 Mar. 2026
Except for the weird assortment of tentacled, befinned, leaflike, rocklike, or altogether bizarre strangers who busily or somnolently populate the stone.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
The only wine club that exclusively ships Napa Valley red wine to its members, Robb Report 672 Napa Valley Wine Club is busily preparing its first selection of the year.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2026
In another slightly opposite situation, an actress left the stage and grabbed the cell phone from a member of the audience who was busily texting, totally ignoring the play.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
King scored only 9, while busily directing traffic and delivering the ball to his go-getting teammates.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Let’s also look after our helpers — the lady beetles, earthworms, birds, bees, syrphid flies and lacewings that busily help our gardens thrive.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
That’s led to top Canadian creatives and producers becoming partners with major American producers busily making original movies and TV series in Toronto and Vancouver for global streaming platforms.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 20 Mar. 2026
Amid rampant speculation that Zendaya has already wed fiancé Tom Holland, the movie star is busily promoting The Drama, her upcoming A24 movie about, well, a wedding that may or may not end up happening.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 17 Mar. 2026
Except for the weird assortment of tentacled, befinned, leaflike, rocklike, or altogether bizarre strangers who busily or somnolently populate the stone.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
The only wine club that exclusively ships Napa Valley red wine to its members, Robb Report 672 Napa Valley Wine Club is busily preparing its first selection of the year.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2026
In another slightly opposite situation, an actress left the stage and grabbed the cell phone from a member of the audience who was busily texting, totally ignoring the play.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busily
Adverb
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Dark Sky International now recognizes more than 200 dark sky places across 22 countries, certifying destinations that actively protect night skies and reduce artificial light pollution through local ordinances and lighting retrofits.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 May 2026
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Reduce heat to 350° and continue to bake until filling is actively bubbling through the center and biscuits are deep golden brown, 50–65 minutes more.—
Claire Saffitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 May 2026
Adverb
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The diagnosis came as a shock to Tovado, who had no family history of colon cancer and had been diligently getting annual physicals as a fighter pilot in the military.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 May 2026
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Administrators, teachers and staff work diligently to communicate with students and their families that student safety is a top priority.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Busily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busily. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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