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busy

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verb

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a busy place
a bustling place
a lively place
a hectic place
a crowded place
a congested place
a busy intersection
a bustling intersection
a crowded intersection
a congested intersection
a jammed intersection
a hectic intersection
a busy week
a hectic week
an eventful week
a productive week
a big week
a long week

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
As the pool of players has been dwindling to the final three, No-eul has been busy risking her life for a different child: Gyeong-seok’s daughter. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 27 June 2025 Come summer, when other flowering flora are busy competing for pollinators’ attention, skunk cabbage has already parted with its pollen and replaced its early blooming flowers with a bouquet of showy leaves. Skylar Knight, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
Verb
As a brewer, my father spent his days busied by every manner of task—boiling wort, cleaning barrels, keeping records. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 13 May 2025 Asia, 4, circled the small apartment, on the hunt for something to busy herself. Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for busy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busy
Adjective
  • But the rewards – a more engaged, connected, and high-performing workforce – are well worth the investment.
    Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Instead, Bailey encourages today’s leaders to embrace discomfort, stay engaged, and study those who came before.
    William Jones, USA Today, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • If possible, talk to your boss about your future and what interests you.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 26 June 2025
  • The Flames also have a lot of players who would interest the Sabres, who need a right-shot defenseman.
    Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • Clark said locally, at San Dimas’ Via Verde Country Club and Pomona’s Mountain Meadows Golf Course, Spaun is remembered as a diligent kid who put in a lot of time working on his game.
    Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 16 June 2025
  • The only way to avoid False Dividend Stocks is with diligent fundamental research on cash flows.
    David Trainer, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • The serene scene is meant to mimic the dichotomy of the scent: a powerful blend of florals mixed with vibrant woody notes.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
  • What began as a creative outlet among friends quickly evolved into a vibrant collective.
    Ugonnaora Owoh, Essence, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Figuring out how to reply to an annoying co-worker on Slack?
    Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • In other words, these annoying tasks will actually start to feel good.
    Meg Walters, Glamour, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • These words, which fill a popular meme set against the profile of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., occupy our thoughts.
    Michael Pfleger, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
  • The top eight prize money spots are occupied by European clubs and of the $741m allocated, $424.5m (57 per cent) has gone to UEFA clubs.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • The food industry has a lot riding on, and even more to gain from, adopting practices that help stabilize the climate and support thriving ecosystems.
    Mindy Lubber, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Whatever happens, Chicago needs a thriving and affordable ride-share sector — ride-share is part of our transit ecosystem.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • There’s something officious about Alden Ehrenreich.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Jan. 2023
  • Her charming luxury treasure trove has none of that officious chilliness that defines the typical store of its ilk but instead feels like a brocanterie crammed with interesting, unexpected luxury goods from across the world.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2023

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Cite this Entry

“Busy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busy. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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