Synonyms of diligent

diligent

adjective

ˈdi-lə-jənt 

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

• engaged
• busy
• employed
• assiduous
• active
• industrious
• working
• occupied
• preoccupied
• sedulous
• laborious
• immersed
• bustling
• hopping
• focused
• concentrating
• absorbed
• tied-up
• lively
• going
• buzzing
• operating
• hardworking
• operational
• humming
• vibrant
• functioning
• tireless
• vigorous
• energetic
• engrossed
• indefatigable
• operative
• focussed
• animated
• intent
• thriving
• untiring
• functional
• flourishing
• happening
• knee-deep
• running
• astir
• swamped
• living
• alive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• idle
• free
• inactive
• unemployed
• unoccupied
• passive
• latent
• slow
• sleepy
• unbusy
• quiescent
• dormant
• asleep
• lifeless
• inert
• dull
• dead
• inoperative
• nonoperating

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

Recent Examples of diligent

Landscaping requirements, sprinkler systems, hardscaping, brush-clearing buffer zones as part of approval, technology, researching all funding sources available to channel to our first responders, firefighters and sheriff personnel, so that the response is quick and diligent. —Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025

Beyond analyzing troves of data to sift through requirements even the most diligent person might miss, AI can proactively respond to requests with lightning speed—a superhuman ability that might have saved Josef K from the state. —Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Toney is already a diligent student of the game. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025

Saffron is creative, strategic, diligent, and inclusive. —Olivia Antigua, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!