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verb

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of busy
Adjective
Before the accident, Ayanna had been spearheading operations at the cafe, and Eugene had been busy working another job to further support the family. Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 31 Oct. 2025 On busy days, the loop can take several hours because of bear jams and the never-ending line of creeping cars. AFAR Media, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, while Miranda busies herself with building a pageant empire, her husband Ray, a pill-popping nurse, has knocked up the 18-year-old granddaughter of one of his hospice patients. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025 Continuing to busy himself with creating collections and costume design, Poiret continues to look to the East, but also mines history for inspiration. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for busy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busy
Adjective
  • Greg Tate, Joan Morgan, and Mike Davis then became my models of engaged writing and criticism.
    Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The two began dating in 2003 and quickly became engaged.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Patterson, 53, was introduced by City Manager Marcus Jones to a buzzing room at a press conference Monday morning at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The unconventional thriller played like gangbusters to the buzzing New York crowd.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • These books can feel obstinate in their refusal of pleasure—an approach that does not seem to interest Berman in the slightest.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Click on the parlay hub or go to and individual matchup that interests you to find popular options.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Although some perhapsing and mythmaking inevitably find their way into The Dream Factory, Swift is far more diligent about the factual record than Greenblatt is.
    Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Even diligent collateral checks aren’t foolproof, and determined fraudsters will succeed for a while.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The coast along the Miraflores neighborhood is ideal for its waves and winds, as well as vibrant culture, food, and people to enjoy after your sesh.
    Ally Jaksen, Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The city feels like Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls—its energetic downtown area is filled with artisanal shops, quirky history, and a vibrant community.
    Cat Sposato, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • For Blashill, the Blackhawks’ identity is being really, really annoying.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Sharon is extremely annoying, but my heart does break for her a tiny bit here.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Beijing — When Ho Puay-peng first visited Beijing’s Forbidden City in the late 1980s, the Singaporean architect saw many of the historic courtyards used for storage, filled with garbage, and occupied by danwei (government offices).
    Fred He, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The Detroit Tigers, who occupied first place the American League Central for 187 of the 194 days in the regular season this year, came up short for the second season in a row.
    Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • In Pompeii, still in shambles centuries after the volcanic destruction of Mount Vesuvius, Longo founded what would become the Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary, creating the foundations of what would become Pompeii’s rejuvenation as a thriving community.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
  • In addition to her professional ambitions, Mallory also had a thriving social life and was dating Anthony Cook.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Busy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busy. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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