diligence

noun

ˈdi-lə-jən(t)s How to pronounce diligence (audio)
Definition of diligencenext
as in effort
attentive and persistent effort through the diligence and ingenuity of a single detective, the gang's ringleader was finally caught

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 diligence Give Growth Planning An Earlier Starting Point Early marketing diligence gives investors more time to investigate opportunities and develop a credible plan with management. — James Fratzke, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Instead of dwelling on the past, fulfill your duties objectively and with diligence. — Abigail Van Buren, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2026 Taaffe’s diligence, intelligence, understanding of the position (beyond his years) and detailed preparation have earned him the trust of coach Jeff Hafley. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026 Maintaining a lush, healthy lawn takes year-round diligence to keep soil healthy and weeds, pests, and diseases at bay. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diligence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diligence
  1. effort
  2. assiduity
  3. persistence
  4. industry
  5. industriousness
  6. attentiveness
  7. attention
Noun
  • Additionally, the workers must hand over any communications — including self-deleting texts from apps such as Signal — related to the office’s efforts to block noncitizen voting.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The work is part of a broader effort to understand how eVTOL aircraft can share airspace and infrastructure with conventional aircraft while meeting aviation safety requirements.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of effort
Noun
  • While the Queen Mother was very fond of this Queen Victoria tiara and wore it with relative assiduity, her daughter only wore it once in public, on an official trip to Malta in November 2005.
    — Ana Serrano, Glamour, 7 Dec. 2025
  • These indestructible treasures have always been buried in matter, awaiting the invention of scanning electron microscopes and scientists with enough assiduity to spend decades on end peering into their atomic eyes.
    — Virginia Heffernan, WIRED, 21 Mar. 2023
Definition of assiduity
Noun
  • Of course, the persistence of traders to keep doubling down on AI could also be a sign of a bubble.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Passion opens the door, but sustainability requires strong partnerships, financial discipline, persistence and good operations.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of persistence
Noun
  • After smashing sales records at industry powerhouse Douglas Elliman, the brothers started their own firm.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Dennis Speigel is the owner and founder of International Theme Park Services and a global consultant to the leisure industry.
    — Dennis Speigel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of industry
Noun
  • The Beehive State gets its nickname from the industriousness of its workers.
    — Scott Cohn, CNBC, 11 July 2026
  • The Big East will cast a wide net to find someone with a vision, and Ackerman-level resourcefulness and industriousness by next fall.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
Definition of industriousness
Noun
  • Next-level attentiveness from friendly staff certainly helps.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Pisces February 19 – March 20 Relationships benefit from attentiveness today.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of attentiveness
Noun
  • Its fictional characters secretly controlled small workplace decisions without attracting attention.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Our server was effusive in her congratulations and attention, especially to my husband’s nut aversion.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of attention

Browse Nearby Words

dilettantism
diligence
diligent
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Cite this Entry

“Diligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diligence. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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