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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 Given the atmosphere, the dazzling quality of the food and the conscientious service, this should be a very successful restaurant for a long time. Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 Now, in the years since his brother's death, Melvin says he's become increasingly conscientious about his own health. Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025 Younger adults in particular are less conscientious, agreeable, extroverted and open to new experiences than past generations, while neuroticism — marked by anxiety and emotional instability — is rising. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025 Most of the traits that are good, like being conscientious and agreeable are also cool, but in different capacities. Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conscientious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conscientious
Adjective
  • To keep the homeland safe, America needs a strategy to deter a devastating war, preserve its strategic position in Asia, and thereby maintain an honorable peace with China.
    Eyck Freymann, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
  • In 2021, the Vietnam Veterans of America presented Agnes with an award for her dedication, devotion and honorable military service.
    Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Step by careful step, Holbrook climbed, holding out bologna and cheese until two pairs of cautious eyes peeked back.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Other ethical considerations will arise as the watches go into production.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
  • There are also social and ethical challenges that need to be addressed.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The most meticulous work on this subject was carried out by David Noble, a historian of technology.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Ramon is known for making meticulous in-court analyses for bail and custody decisions.
    Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • My appeal is not only personal, but also moral.
    Kim Aris, Time, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Then there is the wider moral question of whether historical artifacts should ever be intentionally destroyed.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • And boy, do those practice dishes look delicious under Doyle’s loving lens.
    Katie Rife, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2025
  • So loving so tender, so, so smart.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • But to be honest, the 20th anniversary, in other people’s hands, would not have lured me back.
    McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
  • They’re further accused of honest services wire fraud, a noteworthy charge that has played an instrumental role in the sports world of late.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Macfadyen is diligent in his portrayal of an obviously unwell man, traumatized by his difficult childhood and never having received the proper care.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
  • That same day, Stein, 75, posted a photo of Akira to Instagram sharing the news and thanking authorities for their diligent work in tracking down those responsible for her death.
    Rachel DeSantis, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conscientious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conscientious. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

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