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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
Particularly the busy latrine of a North American river otter (Lontra canadensis). Laura Baisas Aug 14, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025 Our winners impressed us in all categories and quickly became our go-tos for busy weeknights. Kristin Canning, SELF, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
In the early ’70s, Wilson busied himself with production and writing work on an album by American Spring, a group featuring two former members of the Honeys, his wife Marilyn and her sister Diane. Chris Morris, Variety, 11 June 2025 Elphaba busies herself trying to expose the corruption helmed by the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), while Glinda dons a tiara and becomes the people’s princess of the Emerald City, playing directly into the faux warlock’s agenda. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for busy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busy
Adjective
  • This class offers an opportunity to stay active and engaged.
    Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Every piece is thoughtfully designed with the feedback and support of the incredible, highly engaged community that’s been with me from the start.
    Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The part of the celebrations that most interests my home entertainment channel, though, is the launch on October 7 of the film’s new 4K Blu-ray edition.
    John Archer, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • If baseball doesn't interest you, the WNBA has a standalone game with the Minnesota Lynx visiting the Las Vegas Aces.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • These past few weeks have also brought to mind the Kennedy researcher Harold Weisberg, whose early books were a countercultural phenomenon and who was known for his diligent, insistent filling of FOIA requests.
    Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2025
  • But the Dodgers have been diligent in adhering to their plan to build Ohtani’s innings slowly and carefully.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • As a city known for its tech industry and vibrant communities, Seattle has attracted several national and regional internet providers.
    Kara McGinley, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Inspired by vibrant Spanish style and the timeless elegance of London, Mi Bolsa blends artsian craftsmanship with premium materials to create pieces that are both easy-going and in vogue.
    Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Electric staplers may also include bonus features like a refill indicator light, high-volume stapling and jam-free staple pathways for reducing annoying backups.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
  • The 65-inch Sony Bravia 8 OLED TV has a sleek and minimalist design that really stands out, and its black levels are flawless, resulting in no annoying light bloom at all.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In the meantime, the Giants went with their Opening Day second baseman, Tyler Fitzgerald, while Christian Koss occupied third base on the second day of Matt Chapman’s absence with inflammation in his right hand.
    Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Internal components, such as air conditioning ducts, joints, or wiring, occupy the area where a window would normally be.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s despite the genre’s massive sales and streaming numbers, its dominance on the charts, and its own thriving music video tradition.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • For her part, LePatner said UJA had been integral in her growth as a business executive with a thriving Jewish identity.
    Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 4 Aug. 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 21 Aug. 2025.

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