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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 Most arbitrators are highly conscientious professionals who take their job very seriously. Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025 Colleagues from Harvard described Petrova as kind, conscientious and devoted to her work. Jean Lee, NBC news, 28 May 2025 Mowery recently launched Azure Road, a new culinary, travel, and lifestyle publication for conscientious consumers. Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 For each of us, conscientious use of this planet’s resources will need to be a lifelong endeavor. Andre Garron, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for conscientious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conscientious
Adjective
  • Michael Roth, the president of Wesleyan University in Connecticut, has taken the harder and more honorable route.
    John T. Shaw, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
  • Our leadership spends its time implying anyone with origins south of our border is less than honorable and must be deported regardless of their contributions, just to feel powerful.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • The takeaway: Be careful about triggering too many credit inquiries.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 13 July 2025
  • However, later in the day, be careful about jumping to conclusions when dealing with others.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • Managers are the ethical gatekeepers responsible for monitoring outputs and ensuring alignment with company values.
    Dr. Timothy J. Giardino, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • Those cases are among dozens of complaints of ethical misconduct that have been effectively dismissed over the past two years as the Missouri Ethics Commission remains hobbled by vacancies.
    Kacen Bayless July 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • But there was a time Emily Deschanel, who played the meticulous forensic anthropologist through 12 seasons of Bones, got scolded for being just that — and the memory still makes the star emotional.
    EW.com, EW.com, 12 July 2025
  • Every visual element, on the sets and on the actors, looks like it has been placed there with meticulous intention.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • By sheer coincidence, Clark starts writing articles about the moral inappropriateness of Batman’s vigilante justice.
    Will Harris, EW.com, 11 July 2025
  • America was headed toward the Civil War and both sides knew the manpower and land would be valuable, to say nothing of the moral implications.
    David Ubben, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • The two often send one another loving birthday messages on Instagram–Jones wrote one for Will in May.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 10 July 2025
  • Animal-welfare advocates continue to stress the importance of reporting cruelty, supporting local shelters and rescues and considering adoption to provide loving homes for animals like Diva.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Be honest about systems that are no longer serving their purpose.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The production noted how the work has continued to resonate with readers over the past decade, for its honest depiction of trauma recovery and the power of self-empowerment and love.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Although resilience often looks like luck or good character, the ability to prevent or reduce losses from any type of risk entails careful planning and diligent efforts.
    Louis Gritzo, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The group was not always diligent about following military directives.
    Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conscientious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conscientious. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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