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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
At the time, Johnson was busy filming the movie . Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025 However, with pageant season in full gear, Alverson is inevitably busier. Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 24 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
  • Among the engaged couples, the duo appeared to be the strongest despite early hiccups regarding lifestyle and finances.
    Giana Levy, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Unlike a movie, show, or song, reading a novel from cover to cover demands time and sustained attention to stay engaged throughout the slowest chapters and extend empathy to flawed, morally gray protagonists.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The unconventional thriller played like gangbusters to the buzzing New York crowd.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • At the time of his sentencing, Williams was a buzzing rapper, with his 2021 mixtape Shiesty Season, his only full-length project, peaking at Number Three on the Billboard 200.
    Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Because the books cover the story of the Ozarks region from prehistoric times to the 21st century, readers are likely to find a little something about any part of regional history that interests them.
    Becca Martin-Brown, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Not only are the views, of course, often repulsive, but the actual form of argument is not argument… That’s what interests me, that even the most basic principles that people have worked on for 2,000 years to establish what a fact means…gone.
    Josh Zajdman, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • For those who are still in therapy, being diligent and consistent with your treatment plan is extremely important for reducing long-term risk.
    Marnie Goodfriend, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Meaning, his sons balance a hearty rotation of sports and academics, but the Farrers are also diligent about working in time for volunteer projects, too.
    Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Plus, the color options include both neutral shades and more vibrant hues like burgundy, olive, and purple.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Releasing later this week, the latest product of their longstanding partnership is a vibrant collection of apparel, footwear and accessories that celebrate esports and the gaming community.
    Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Even sage advice given in an annoying manner will eventually be ignored, and the lord at last was driven out of his own house.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Los Angeles, where the produce is so fresh and enticing as to induce tears and the reservation culture is not nearly as annoying as New York, is a sprawling city with a sprawling food scene.
    Jocelyn Silver, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • African American and English Studies scholar Kameelah Martin points out that these beliefs were reinforced at the turn of the 20th century, when the United States occupied Haiti (1915-1934).
    Essence, Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
  • And so, the species that occupy the various environmental niches will likewise have to oscillate.
    Big Think, Big Think, 29 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 2025.

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