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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
Fans are excited for what’s going to be a busy rest of the year for Kid Cudi. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 10 July 2025 The schedule partly overlaps with the reserve’s busiest season and a time when the Coastal Commission tends to prohibit development to maximize parking and open space for public use. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2025
Verb
Liz busied herself in another room while Miller and the Warrens worked with Cooper. Tom Roland, Billboard, 23 May 2025 Aha! This spring, as Musk has busied himself dismantling parts of the United States government, signs of discontent with the world’s richest man have stealthily appeared across London’s public-transport network. Anna Russell, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 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
  • That takes diligent work – sifting through records, tracking down the people with the key information, sometimes fighting to get that information made public.
    Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
  • That scouts regard Bogaerts as one of MLB’s most diligent workers is actually concerning.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Explore vibrant art displays in Saugatuck The diverse local art scene includes galleries, exhibits, studios and public art installations.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 13 July 2025
  • Previous posts online show stunning Trader Joe’s plumeria flowers ranging from vibrant butter yellow to a striking sunset gradient.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 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
  • Interrogating the ways different myths occupy their own unique spaces establishes pathways into existences of literary immortality, offering prisms into the art of storytelling.
    Irenosen Okojie July 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
  • Founded in 2006, the center had previously occupied a single, tiny room on the University Union’s first floor.
    Calista Oetama, Sacbee.com, 11 July 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 16 Jul. 2025.

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