busy 1 of 2

Definition of busynext
1
2
3

busy

2 of 2

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
Airlines canceled hundreds of flights, disrupting plans for thousands of travelers during a busy holiday weekend and in a region that experts say is among the most popular for travelers this time of year. Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026 The Red Cross has reported that its blood supply is under pressure following the busy holiday season. Janay Reece, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
After that, Cornell busied himself with his solo career and other endeavors before committing suicide in 2017. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 Directly after its 1979 revolution, Iran busied itself with internal enemies. Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for busy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busy
Adjective
  • Those late audits have caused ongoing comments by engaged residents who are perplexed that year after year the town’s government is not able to provide the same audit the state’s other 168 municipalities complete and submit to the public and the state’s budget office.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Guiliani said her students have been more engaged and focused.
    Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • Choose a specific cause that interests your kids and give back together.
    Christine Michel Carter, Parents, 17 Jan. 2026
  • That always interests me as a storyteller.
    Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The Trojans were equally diligent on the other end of the court.
    Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Thrust into the job in 2022, Mazzulla has proven to be one of the most prepared and diligent head coaches in sports.
    The Athletic Peak staff, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • With their vibrant pink color and unusual picotee pattern, the flowers of 'Supra Cherry' picotee dianthus will command attention in the garden.
    Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Shop it in a set of two or pick up a single jar, and choose from two colors, including this deep green or vibrant orange.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • That one is a flimsy piano ballad where the duo’s approach to vocals—strangled, swirled and gasping—comes off more annoying than innovative, like a joke that isn’t funny anymore.
    Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The weight of the tool allows for more control, allowing for the blade to safely and gently glide across your face to exfoliate and remove annoying peach fuzz.
    Taryn Brooke, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The final part of the dormancy evolution puzzle is what ecologists refer to as the ecological niche a species occupies — the specific set of conditions that species evolved to exploit or the conditions under which that species is likely to be more successful when compared to other species.
    Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Inside, authorities found fresh groceries, animals, and other signs that people are actively occupying some of the units.
    Nina Burns, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Ronny Hartmann | Afp | Getty Images Rolls-Royce shares have hit fresh record highs every single trading day so far this year, as the aerospace and defense firm reaps benefits from multiple directions – from its exposure to defense, to its thriving power systems business and a wider FTSE 100 rally.
    Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Settlements turned into towns, towns turned into thriving American port cities.
    Sacramento Bee staff, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Busy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busy. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on busy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!