1
2

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective conscientious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of conscientious are honest, honorable, just, scrupulous, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.

conscientious in the completion of her assignments
scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

When can honest be used instead of conscientious?

Although the words honest and conscientious have much in common, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

When could honorable be used to replace conscientious?

The synonyms honorable and conscientious are sometimes interchangeable, but honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.

a difficult but honorable decision

Where would just be a reasonable alternative to conscientious?

The words just and conscientious can be used in similar contexts, but just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

When is upright a more appropriate choice than conscientious?

In some situations, the words upright and conscientious are roughly equivalent. However, upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

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 conscientious Mowery recently launched Azure Road, a new culinary, travel, and lifestyle publication for conscientious consumers. Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 And a committed Marxist's cold-blooded murder of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. Wednesday night was the natural and inevitable consequence of a conscientious, years-long campaign to dehumanize Jews and otherize all supporters of the world's only Jewish state. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025 Even conscientious adherents to national security protocols acknowledge that classified U.S. government systems are far from convenient. Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025 The whereabouts rules are in place to ensure a fair and consistent method of testing for all athletes — not just ones who come from nations with conscientious anti-doping practices. Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for conscientious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conscientious
Adjective
  • After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Quang enjoyed a successful pharmaceutical sales stint as a top producer for Astra/Merck and then Genentech.
    Quang X. Pham, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
  • Civil disobedience is honorable; violence is beyond the pale.
    David French, Mercury News, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • Watch out for slippery roads: Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 7 June 2025
  • Be careful to avoid spraying plants with oils during hot, sunny weather.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Skills like empathy, cultural understanding and ethical decision-making can’t be replicated by algorithms.
    Braden Yuill, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • The woman's family later filed a lawsuit against Willet and his organization, questioning the circumstances surrounding her death and the legal and ethical oversight — or lack thereof — in her use of the pod, per the outlets.
    Christina Coulter, People.com, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • This meticulous attention to detail makes the P3 series particularly effective for low-light observation, providing users with vibrant and clear views in challenging lighting conditions like those found whilst stargazing.
    Matt Morris, Space.com, 6 June 2025
  • Dungarpur recalls long hours spent restoring the film, reflecting on Ray’s meticulous attention to detail and how every frame was carefully storyboarded.
    THR India Staff, HollywoodReporter, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • That recognized a moral responsibility to try to balance the scales, but the court no longer tries.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2025
  • By integrating care ethics into institutional frameworks, VSS can foster environments where individuals feel valued and connected, addressing the moral vocation of belonging in a world facing existential threats (registration required) like climate change.
    Yujia Zhu, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Yo La Tengo’s 1997 feedback-guitar version is one of the most loving Beach Boys tributes.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2025
  • This is a group of people who have welcomed her in like family and are very loving to Tina and kind to her.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • How can leaders conduct honest conversations without inspiring defensiveness, denial, or backlash?
    Lauren Howe, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • One of those fans, apparently, is singer Ciara, who recently urged the Harlem artist to make Lampkin an honest women after running into the rapper in the BET Awards press room this weekend.
    Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • Soothe a sunburn No judgement: sunburns sometimes happen to even the most diligent sunscreen wearers.
    Holly Carter, People.com, 9 June 2025
  • Some ideas include creating easy-to-use complaint systems, requiring permit numbers in all advertising, and doing diligent code enforcement, with monthly reports of actual rental days and monthly electronic collection of bed taxes.
    Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 6 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Conscientious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conscientious. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on conscientious

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!