DILIGENT Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'diligent' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of diligent are assiduous , busy , industrious , and sedulous . While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit. // very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

Q: When might 'assiduous' be a better fit than 'diligent'?

The meanings of assiduous and diligent largely overlap; however, assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application. // assiduous practice

Q: When is it sensible to use 'busy' instead of 'diligent'?

While the synonyms busy and diligent are close in meaning, busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure. // too busy to spend time with the children

Q: In what contexts can 'industrious' take the place of 'diligent'?

Although the words industrious and diligent have much in common, industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work. // industrious employees

Q: When would 'sedulous' be a good substitute for 'diligent'?

The words sedulous and diligent can be used in similar contexts, but sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application. // a sedulous investigation of the murder

diligent

adjective

ˈdi-lə-jənt

Definition of diligent next

as in engaged

involved in often constant activity a student who has been unceasingly diligent in pursuit of a degree in mathematics

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word diligent different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of diligent are assiduous, busy, industrious, and sedulous. While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

When might assiduous be a better fit than diligent?

The meanings of assiduous and diligent largely overlap; however, assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.

assiduous practice

When is it sensible to use busy instead of diligent?

While the synonyms busy and diligent are close in meaning, busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

In what contexts can industrious take the place of diligent?

Although the words industrious and diligent have much in common, industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

When would sedulous be a good substitute for diligent?

The words sedulous and diligent can be used in similar contexts, but sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application.

a sedulous investigation of the murder

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 diligent Despite diligent global efforts to link uncommon variations in DNA sequences with human disease, progress has been slow, in large part due to limitations in scientific understanding and in part due to limitations in computational technologies. —

Gary Skuse, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2026 These trees need proper attention to grow to their full potential—pruning is essential, as is being diligent against pests. —

Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026 Defenseman Jacob Moverare was highlighted with the Daryl Evans Youth Hockey Service Award for his diligent and enthusiastic work with the Kings’ learn-to-play program. —

Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026 There’s a lot of work that goes into this, a lot of long, diligent hours. —

Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diligent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diligent

Adjective

The result is a fiery and impassioned offering that finds the veteran fully engaged and intent on proving no chinks have been left in his armor despite his tenuous back-and-forth with his Compton counterpart.

— Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 15 May 2026
The debate, the back and forth, the unsolicited tags—that is where trust is built in public, where brand affinity becomes visible and where your most engaged audience shows themselves to you.

— Rhea Karo, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026