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 Attorneys bill by the hour, which rewards diligence over decisiveness, sometimes long after diligence has stopped adding real value. — Bill Koch, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Positive qualities—promptness, diligence, cheerfulness—sped up your ascent through the ranks; negative ones—laziness, dissipation, late mornings—slowed it down. — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026 Emery typically operates with one wide player and will demand Garnacho becomes serious in his defensive diligence. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026 Until the industry is regulated, the best protection for your dog is your own diligence. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 July 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
  • Despite continued life-saving efforts by first responders, the girl was pronounced dead before she could be airlifted to a hospital.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Through a second-half offensive effort, the Dream outlasted the Seattle Storm in a 98-89 win Friday night.
    — Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 1 Aug. 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
  • On Wednesday night, Budapest recorded its warmest overnight temperature on record, with temperatures falling only to 28 C (82 F), underscoring the persistence of the extreme heat.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • This quiet midseason retirement, following his last game on July 25, highlights the often-unheralded end to dedicated minor league careers, even for those showing persistence and loyalty to a single franchise.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of persistence
Noun
  • Kalshi's counsel will note the number exceeds the entire US gaming industry's annual revenue, which is presumably the point.
    — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • But the merger is currently on pause, as Paramount has since been hit with several lawsuits, including from 12 state attorneys general who claim the acquisition will kill competition in the film and television industries.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 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
  • In Japan, this kind of attentiveness is understood through omotenashi.
    — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Even in novels centered on Millennial inaction or stasis, such as Pond, by Claire-Louise Bennett, a kind of attentiveness is necessary to advance beyond rhetorical water-treading.
    — Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Definition of attentiveness
Noun
  • The design is laid-back and a little bit funky, just like Austin, with minimalist furnishings, warm natural materials, and local artwork, plus floor-to-ceiling windows that draw your attention out to Austin’s natural beauty.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Too many brands exhaust their marketing budgets fighting for attention during the primary event when real power lies in owning the transitional micro-moment immediately following exertion.
    — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 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 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on diligence

Nglish: Translation of diligence for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diligence

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